from a total of 600 nose and throat introduction swabs examined for diphtherie, 200 or 33% were positive. cultures were carfully classified on the basis of morphological appearance and biochemical characteristics into gravis, mitis and intermedius groups.  a special tellurite serum agar was used for colonial appearance. neill's broth culture was employed for haemolytic tests. the virulence of e...

Until recently, most patients taking warfarin (brand name Coumadin) had to visit a laboratory and/or clinic every few weeks for an international normalized ratio (INR) blood test and adjustment of their warfarin dose. It is now possible for a patient to measure his/her INR (self-testing) with a finger-stick drop of blood with use of a small, portable, battery-powered device. Some self-testing p...