THE VIABILITY OF RINGWORM FUNGI IN DRY CUTANEOUS MATERIAL

This experiment was conducted to determine in a general way how long these fungi could remain viable in the surplus scrapings, hairs, etc., which had been preserved dry for future use in paper envelops in our laboratory files. The results would also yield some rough idea of how long the material might retain its infectiousness in those articles of clothing (slippers) and the toilet (brushes and combs) which are not always periodically cleansed.

The material consisted of hairs, crusts and scrapings in which, as a routine, fungous elements had already been demonstrated in potassium hydroxid solution as the clinical case presented. The surplus material was preserved in black photographic paper, enclosed in a white paper envelope and filed in a small drawer. Only a few specimens had been determined culturally. Plantings were made without previous alcoholization on Sabouraud's proof agar and without the addition of any restrainer.

The table shows