Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1893 — CHOLERA CORKED IN A BOTTLE. [ARTICLE]

CHOLERA CORKED IN A BOTTLE.

Bacteria of the Genuine Asiatic Article at the Army and Medical Museum. In one of the cases at the Army and Medical Museum at Washington there is a long row of small test tubes containing bacterial organisms of several of the most dangerous diseases known to the medical profession. The exhibition is a branch of that department under the management of Dr. Gray, who conducts experiments in the formation of the disease germs and speculates on their terms of existence and powers of resistance. Among the collection is a tube labeled “Asiatic cholera,” which attracts more attention than any of the others. The tube was filled with gelatine on June 22, at the same time being inoculated with cholera. In a little over a month the disease germs have developed and multiplied to such an extent as to be plainly visible to the naked eye. In the open end of the tube is loosely wadded a piece of cotton, and, although the contents may be seen through the glass doors of the case, Manager Flynn, of the museum, kindly takes the tube out of the case and explains the growth of the germs when particular interest is manifest in the culture by visitors. The other day, says the Post, while showing the cholera tube to a party of visitois, a nervous lady approached the group and in an excited manner inquired: “Is that real cholera you have bottled up there?” “Yes, Asiatic cholera,” politely replied Mr. Flynn. The woman threw up both , hands and exclaimed: “Then for God’s sake do b£ careful and don’t drop the bottle.”