No abstract

The early literature on the cytology of M1ycobacterium tutbercuilosis was reviewe(I by Knaysi (1929). Among the reports not reviewed by him are those of Feinberg (1900), Nakanishi (1901), 'Minder (1916), Kirchensteins (1922), and Petit (1926). Feinberg observed a red nucleus and a bluie cytoplasm in cells stainedl by a modified Romanowski's soluition. iNakanishi demonstrated by postvital staining wi-ith methylene blute a round body locatedl near the middle of the cell; sometimes there was a constricted body or there were two round bodies. 'Minder distinguished between MIuch's granules and polar bodies, although the latter were demonstrable by Mluch's method of staining. He stated that the grantules were neither spores nor decomposition products. Kirchensteins, using a complicated method of staining with basic fuchsin, concluded that a nuclear apparattus existed consisting of several granules united by fine filaments. Petit did not attribute to the granules a nuclear nature. Knaysi (1929) studiedI a strain, originally of the human type, which had lost its pathogenicity; his observations were summarized as follows: