C. diphtheriae. II. Specific characteristics of the growth curve of C. diphtheriae.

In a previous publication evidence was presented for the conclusion that biochemical activity of C. diphtheriae during the growth phase should be differenciated from those of other bacilli(1). It seems to be rather contradictorious to say that chemical activities of this organism fall to the minimum lebel during its growth phase. This paper develops further the experimental and theoretical aspects of the above facts by reporting quantitative deta relative to the viable counts of the bacilli at each stage of the growth and by checking morphological findings at the same time by light and electron microscopes. Earlier study by Eisler(2) reported that the greater part of the pellicle consists of dead cells of C. diphtheriae. This was an excellent opinion but it is a pity that he did not show his experimental method and deta, because enumeration of the viable units of the suspension is considerablly controversial owing to the clumping characteristics of the organism. Author tried to overcome the difcuties by following technique.