THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE UPON BACTERIOSTASIS

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Abstract
Whereas an increase in temp. increases the efficiency of disinfection, it decreases the efficiency of bacteriostasis. To prevent growth of a staphylococcus at 20[degree]C, 50 ppm, HgCl2 are sufficient, but at 30[degree]C, 150 ppm. are needed. With most antiseptics, maximal tolerance is observed at 7-10[degree] below the optimal temp. of growth. With a few compounds, it is at the opt. or above it. This can be explained as the result of 2 opposing processes. Temp. increases the growth rate; it also increases the rate of reaction of the antiseptic with the cell contents. The difference between these 2 effects determines the growth rate in the presence of the disinfectant. This result cannot be reconciled with the customary assumption that bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects are due to quantitative differences of the same reaction. It must be assumed that the 2 effects are due to reactions with different compounds in the cell, or at least to reaction at different loci.