The Effect on the Chick Embryo of the Simultaneous Inoculation of Stool, Streptomycin, and Penicillin

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Abstract
Thirteen-or 14-day old chick embryos were given 0.25-0.30 ml. of inoculum by the intra-amniotie method of Burnet. The eggs were sealed and incubated at 37 [degree]C. for 40 hrs. Three different stool specimens were obtained: 2 which were on dry ice for 1-3 mos., taken from patients with epidemic diarrhea and vomiting, and 1 fresh "normal" specimen. Controls contained sterile saline instead of stool suspension. After about 40 hrs. each egg was opened aseptically, the embryo observed, and fluid cultured. Death of embryos occurred in nearly all eggs which received stool suspension with saline or with petiicillin. Cultures from these eggs were always positive. In corresponding controls, about 2/3 of the embryos survived, and only 3 of 40 had positive cultures. Half the embryos survived in eggs inoculated with stool suspension, streptomycin, and penicillin. The same was true in corresponding controls. About 1/3 of the embryos survived when inoculated with stool suspension and streptomycin. The number of positive, cultures was about the same as the contamination rate in the controls.
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