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A NEW MODEL OF DOUBLE PIPET HOLDER AND
THE TECHNIC FOR THE ISOLATION OF
LIVING ORGANISMS *
F. H E C K E R
Kansas City, Missouri
The working parts of the old models of double pipet holders are
made of stock brass. In the new model to be described here they are
made of cast phosphor bronze. The male and the female milling of
the old models are cut in the working parts; the male milling of the
new model is cut separately and fastened to the working part with
screws. In the old models after a short period of use, lost motion
develops in the milling, destroying the accuracy of the instrument.
Also, when the working part is moved upward, the male milling imme-
diately passes out of its bearing ; in the new model the male milling is
never disengaged. A space of 5/1000 inch is left between the working
part and the face of the milling, and in this space there are 5 brass
shims, each of which is 1/1000 inch in thickness. Thus if the bearings
after a time become loose, the trouble is quickly remedied by unscrew-
ing the screws and removing the working part and one of the thin
sheets of brass, then replacing the working part and gradually tighten-
ing the screws until the working part is easily operated with the mill-
head. In the older models, the bearings of the transverse carriages
are too short, so that when they move outward from the center of the
instrument, they develop a marked looseness. In the new model, this
defect has been entirely overcome. An arm projects at right angles to
the perpendicular carriage (Fig. 1) ; on this arm is a carriage traveling
at right angles to the perpendicular carriage. On the upper surface of
this carriage there is another carriage which travels at right angles to
the one supporting it, and on the upper surface of this carriage an arm
projects towards the center of the instrument. This is the pipet holder.
The carriage has the female milling cut on one of its surfaces, while on
the opposite surface of this part there is a clamp which fits a small metal
block extending from the side of the stage of the microscope. When the mill-
head Id is tightened, a metal clamp is moved upward to engage the block
projecting from the side of the stage of the microscope, thus making the
instrument secure and rigid. The male milling IB is fastened to a face plate,
which engages the female milling, and to this face plate the perpendicular car-
riages are made fast with screws; the transverse carriage is operated by the
* Received for publication February 25, 1916.
New Model of Double Pipet Holder
307
millhead 1A, which when turned moves the transverse carriage backward and
forward, and by this movement the perpendicular carriages are moved forward
and backward. The advantage of the position of the millhead in this model,
as compared with the older models, is that one does not have to reach around
in front of the microscope to operate this carriage. At the opposite end of
the screw operated by the millhead 1A, is a small knurled screw 1C. This
screw when tightened, takes out all the lost motion in the screw which operates
the carriage. Thus not only can the working parts be adjusted by the removal
of the shims, but the screws likewise can be adjusted when they become loose
Fig. 1. The new model of double pipet holder.
in their bearings. The perpendicular carriages 2B, 2b are operated by the mill-
heads 2C, 2c. These millheads when turned, cause the carriages to move up
or down. At the opposite ends of the screws operated by the millheads 2C,
2c are small knurled thumb screws of the same type as 1C. These, when
tightened, adjust the lost motion developed by the operating screws in their
bearings. Extending at right angles to the perpendicular carriages is an arm
which is part of each of the carriages 2B, 2b, and is marked 3A, 3a. On
the upper surface of these arms are the carriages 3B, 3b, operated by the mill-
308 F. Hecker
heads 3C, 3c. When the millheads 3C, 3c are turned, these carriages move at
right angles to the perpendicular carriages. On the upper surfaces of the
carnages 3B, 3b are the carriages 4A, 4a, operated by the millheads 4B, 4b
and moving at right angles to 3B, 3b. On the upper surfaces of these car-
riages are the clamps for the pipets proper 5, 5, and the bearings of the
clamps. If the thumb screws 5A, 5a are loosened, the clamp can be moved to
any desired angle, and the thumb screws 5A, 5a again tightened to make the
angle of the pipet secure. At the opposite end of the arm of the pipet clamp
to the bearing are other thumb screws 5B, 5b, which, when operated, press on
the plate clamps 5C, 5c fitting over the grooves 5D, 5d ; by this operation the
pipet is held securely in the grooves 5D, 5d.
The two pipets can be moved forward and backward by turning the mill-
head 1A. The perpendicular carriages can be moved up and down independently
of each other by turning the millheads 2C, 2c. On the upper surface of the
arm of the perpendicular carriages are other carriages, which are moved at
right angles to the perpendicular carriages by the millheads 3C, 3c. and on the
upper surfaces of these carriages is another set of carriages, which are moved
at right angles to the carriages 3B, 3b by the millheads 4B, 4b, and on the
upper surface of these carriages is the long arm which can be turned at any
desired angle by loosening the thumb screws 5A, 5a.
Having described the parts of the double pipet holder and their
operation, I shall now explain the accessory apparatus, and the prepa-
ration of it for the isolation of living bacteria.
Isolating Cell. — The cells used for the isolation of living bacteria are of
2 types, glass cells and brass cells. Dr. Barber (of whose technic some of
the steps here are modifications) uses the glass cell, while I use a brass cell.
This brass cell measures 80 mm. by 27 mm. and the height of the cell from
the glass window to the upper edge of its walls is 15 mm. No particular
advantage is offered by the brass cell over the glass cell in the isolation of
organisms, but the broad upper edges of the brass cell which come in con-
tact with the cover slip, when coated with vaselin offer a more secure joint.
In the bottom of the cell there is a glass window made secure and water-tight
with gum balsam.
The Preparation of the Isolating Cell. — This is very simple. The lateral and
back walls of the cell are covered with thin blotting or filter paper. This
lining acts as an equalizer of the moisture contained within the cell and thus
prevents the evaporation of the culture media or salt solution on the under
surface of the cover slip. The bottom of the cell is next flooded with sterile-
distilled water. The upper edges of the cell which come in contact with the
•cover are then thoroughly coated with vaselin. The vaselin holds the cover
slip in position and lutes the point of contact of the cover slip with the edges
of the cell, making an air-tight joint between them.
To protect the living organisms from a possibly fatal change of temperature
in the transfer from the diseased part to the under surface of the cover slip
I have devised an electrically heated jacket which, when placed around the
isolating cell, maintains its temperature at 35.5-37.5 C. A further advantage
of this jacket is that one does not have to hurry in the isolation of living
organisms for fear of their dying before the transplantation from the under
surface of the cover to the test tube or to the animal can be accomplished.
New Model of Double Pipet Holder
309
Preparation of the Cover Slip. — The cover slip used is of 2 sizes, 50 by
24 mm. and 40 by 24 mm. The cover slip is washed with soap and running
water, rinsed in running warm water, and thoroughly dried with a piece of
clean muslin. It is then given a coating of vaselin. Excess of vaselin is
thoroughly removed from the cover slip with another clean piece of muslin,
and then the surface is polished with Japanese bibulus paper. The vaselin on
the surface of the cover slip prevents the fine droplets of condensation water
from uniting to form large drops. After the cover slip has been prepared,
Fig. 2. (a) The isolating cell, (b) The ruled cover slip, (c) The ruled cover slip in
position on the cell.
it is passed through a gas flame several times to insure sterilization. It is
now placed on the cell.
Its upper surface is ruled as follows : A fine capillary pipet, drawn from
a piece of glass tubing, is covered with thick India ink and the point placed
at the outer edge of the cover slip. The instant that the pipet comes in con-
tact with the cover slip the entire pipet is brought in contact with the surface
of the cover slip. The point of the pipet is now drawn from the front of the
Fig. 3. — Electrically heated jacket for the isolating cell. A is the heating element, B, B
is the asbestos insolation, and C, C the terminals of the heating element.
cell, backward ; this movement leaves a black line on its surface. The pipet
is again covered with India ink and another line made at right angles to the
one passing through the longest diameter of the cover. A third line is drawn
to make an angle of 95 degrees with each of the previous lines. The com-
pleted cover slip has 3 lines, none of which is parallel to another. The line
310
F. Hecker
which is at 95 degrees to the other two lines, is used as a guide for the
placing of the droplets containing the isolated bacteria.
Placing the Droplets on the Under Surface of the Cover Slip. — A pipet is
drawn and the excess of the capillary portion over 10 to 15 cm. is broken
off. From 10 to 15 mm. of the end of the pipet are bent at right angles to
the pipet. A piece of rubber tubing is then attached to the opposite end. The
free end of the rubber tubing is between the lips, and the point of the pipet is
immersed in broth or sterile normal salt solution; by gentle suction the
desired quantity of liquor is drawn into the pipet. Now the placing of a
series of small droplets around a large central drop on the under surface of
Fig. 4. Rheostat for controlling the temperature of the warm jacket and the cell.
Beginning at 1, which is the rheostat proper, 2 indicates the arm of the rheostat, used for
making the contact points; 3 is the handle of the lever; 4, the contact points which control
the amount of electricity entering the coil in the warm jacket; 5, the warm jacket; 6, the
isolating cell surrounded by the warm jacket; 7, the cover slip in position on the surface
of the cell, and on its surface the ruling used; 8 and 8' are the two poles of the incoming
electricity; and 9 and 9' are the outgoing poles, which are connected with the coil in the
heating jacket. Any desired temperature can be obtained with this instrument around the cell.
the cover slip is accomplished with the point of the pipet. The object of the
small droplets around the central drop is to insure the latter against rapid
evaporation. A coarse capillary pipet is now made. It is charged with sterile
distilled water, the point passed under the cover slip, and a series of small
droplets made on the under surface of the cover slip at its outer edge. These
droplets equalize the moisture in the cell and thus prevent the evaporation of
New Model of Double Pipet Holder 311
the droplets on the under surface of the cover which contain the emulsion of
bacteria, and also the very small droplets which hold the isolated bacteria in
suspension.
The Inoculation of the Central Drop. — A small sterile platinum loop is used
for the collection of pus from the focus of suppuration, after which the loop
is cautiously passed to the central drop, and its pus content thoroughly mixed
into that drop. The mixing having been completed, the cell is placed under a
bell glass jar or large Petri dish until the pipets have been made and charged.
The Making of Capillary Pipets for Isolation Purposes. — The apparatus
consists of a pair of small thumb forceps and 2 Bunsen burners, one of which
is remodeled in such a way as to offer a flame for making the very fine
capillary pipets needed for the isolation of bacteria. The glass tubing used
for making the capillary pipets has a caliber of 2 mm. and is cut into 14-cm.
lengths. It is held by the thumb, index, and second fingers of the left hand
Fig. 5. The two types of Bunsen burners.
at a comfortable distance from the end of the pipet which is in the flame.
The thumb forceps are held by the thumb, index, and second fingers of the
right hand. As soon as the portion in the flame becomes soft enough to bend
of its own weight, the end of the molten portion is grasped firmly with the
thumb forceps, and at the same time the glass tubing is removed from the
flame, and a lateral pull made from left to right, and continued until the
desired caliber of pipet is drawn. The hands are then held in their relative
positions for half a minute to allow the glass to cool. We now have, approxi-
mately, a straight pipet instead of a crooked one. The excess of glass of the
capillary pipet over 85 mm. is broken off.
The very fine capillary pipets are harder to make than the coarse ones.
The shank of the coarse capillary pipet is grasped with the thumb and fingers
of the left hand while the free end of the pipet is grasped with the thumb
forceps in the thumb and fingers of the right hand. The outer portion of the
pipet which is near the thumb forceps is held in the fine flame, and the instant the
glass becomes soft enough to bend, a lateral pull is made to the right if a
moderately coarse pipet is wanted, and to the left if a very fine pipet is wanted.
312 F. Hecker
Fig. 6. The position of the hands for making the fine capillary pipet.
Now with the shank of the pipet grasped between the thumb and fingers of
the left hand and the free end supported by the point of the forceps in the
right hand, the pipet is held in the very fine flame while at the same time
gentle pressure upwards is made with the forceps ; as soon as one feels the
glass giving, the pressure is slightly increased and at the same instant the
pipet is removed from the flame.
If on examination of the pipet it is found that the angle is too acute or
too obtuse, the defect must be corrected, for if it is not at right angles it
can not be successfully used. To correct the angle of the pipet the shank is
grasped with the thumb and fingers of the left hand and the point of the
forceps is placed on the outer surface; the pipet is then held in the very fine
gas flame and gentle upward pressure made with the forceps. As soon as
the pipet commences to bend it is immediately removed from the flame and
gentle upward pressure made with the forceps. If the angle is too acute,
the point of the thumb forceps is placed on the inside of the pipet and it is
again placed in the very fine flame, gentle outward pressure being made with
the point of the thumb forceps. As soon as the glass commences to bend,
the pressure is continued and at the same instant the pipet is removed from
the flame. If the angle of the pipet is too obtuse, the point of the thumb
forceps is placed on the outside of the fine capillary pipet and it is placed in
the fine flame and the angle corrected by bending the pipet inward.
The next step is to break off the excess of the fine capillary pipet over
15 mm. with the points of the thumb forceps, which have been sterilized in
the gas flame. The rubber tubing is now fastened to the pipet. The pipet
is charged with sterile salt solution or broth by immersing the fine point in
the liquor and making suction on the free end of the rubber hose held in the
mouth, which draws the desired quantity of fluid into the pipet. After placing
the cell on the mechanical stage, the pipet is centered.
Centering the Point of the Pipet. — The cell is moved to the right until
one half of the field is occupied by the cover slip, and the end of the black line
which passes through the longest diameter of the cover slip is in the center
of the field. The tube of the microscope is then moved up out of the way
and the pipet is placed in the groove of the clamp, 5D, 5d, of the pipet holder,
and is pushed inward toward the black line until it is approximately opposite
it. The field is then brought into focus, and the point of the pipet is sought
by raising and lowering the tube of the microscope. If the pipet is out of
the center of the field, it is centered by manipulating the millhead of the
carriage which controls the movement in the correct direction. The first pipet
having been centered, the second pipet is made by the same technic as was used
for making the first. It is adjusted in the same manner also. In addition to
New Model of Double Pipet Holder 313
being centered the pipet must be so adjusted that Pipet 1 in moving up or down
will in no wise interfere with Pipet 2 and vice versa. Both points should be
approximately in the center of the field for this will facilitate the work.
THE ISOLATION OF LIVING BACTERIA
An area in the emulsion of the pus, rich in bacteria, having been
found, the free end of the rubber hose attached to Pipet 1 is placed
between the lips and the pipet gradually moved upward with Millhead
2c. As soon as the point of the pipet is in the same focus gentle suc-
tion with the mouth draws the desired quantity of the emulsion of pus
into the pipet. The pipet is lowered out of focus with Millhead 2c. The
mechanical stage is moved to the left of the line which is at right angles
to the horizontal line, and to the space below the horizontal line on the
under surface of the cover slip. The desired area having been selected
the pipet is moved up with Millhead 2c until the point of the pipet is in
focus on the under surface of the cover slip ; by gentle pressure on the
free end of the rubber hose held between the lips, with the mouth, the
desired size of droplet is made. The pressure is then relieved and at
the same instant the pipet is moved down out of focus by turning Mill-
head 2c. This process is continued until a series of small droplets are
placed on the under surface of the cover slip. Pipet 1 is now moved
out of the way and Pipet 2 brought into focus with Millhead 2 C. Small
droplets made with Pipet 1 are further diluted with broth from Pipet 2.
By this further dilution the bacteria are greatly separated from one
another so that isolation becomes easier. This preliminary step is
accomplished with a Leitz objective No. 4 and a Huyghenian eye piece
No. 5. The isolation of the organism is done with Leitz objective No.
6 or 7 and Huyghenian eye piece No. 2.
The procedure for the isolation of a streptococcus, for example, in
pus thus conveyed to the cell is as follows : As soon as a chain is found,
the point of the pipet is brought into the same focus by turning Mill-
head 2C. Then gentle suction is made with the mouth on the free end
of the rubber hose attached to the pipet. The instant that the chain of
streptococci enters the pipet the suction is stopped and at the same
instant the pipet is moved out of focus by turning Millhead 2C, thus
preventing all other bacteria from entering the pipet. The mechanical
stage is now moved to the left until the line which runs at 95 degrees to
the other lines appears. The pipet is then gradually moved up until
its point is in focus with one of the small droplets of condensation
water which have collected on the under surface of the cover slip.
314 F. Hecker
Gentle pressure with the mouth at once causes the small droplet to
increase in size and as soon as the chain of streptococci appears, the
pressure is relieved and the pipet instantly moved down out of focus
with Millhead 2C. The same technic is followed in the isolation of any
other micro-organism present. One soon becomes so expert that the
dilution of the original droplet is not necessary, the isolation being
made from the first droplet.
In making transplants a method which I find very good is as
follows :
The organism having been isolated, Pipet 1 is removed from the pipet holder
and a new pipet made and charged with the desired variety of broth and
adjusted as previously described. The mechanical stage is now moved to the
left, searching for the droplets containing the desired organism, which, when
it is found, is drawn into the pipet. The stage is again moved and the organ-
ism is dispatched to the under surface of the cover slip, and again picked up
with the pipet. The excess of broth is then drawn into the pipet from the
droplet. The pipet is now removed from the holder and the broth is carefully
drawn to a safe distance from the point of the pipet so that it can be sealed
in a gas flame. Then, labeled with the date, hour, and the kind of organism,
it is placed in the incubator.
Another method for obtaining cultures of the isolated organisms is that
used by Dr. Barber. The organism after isolation is placed in a droplet of
culture medium on the under surface of a clean sterile cover slip. The cover
slip is then transferred from the cell to a ground-glass concave slide. The
preparation of the slide before making the transfer of the cover is as follows :
The slide is washed in running hot water and sterilized with alcohol. The
ground surface of the slide is then given a liberal coating of vaselin, and
in the concave portion of the slide there is placed a small droplet of sterile
distilled water. The cover is placed on this slide, the small droplet being on
the inside of the concave slide. The slide is then labeled with the time, date,
and kind of organism. This method has an advantage over the first method
in that one is able to study the growth rate of the organism and at the same
time commence an isolated culture. The technic for the study of the growth
rate of the colon bacillus, which can be used for the study of other organisms
also, has been worked out by Dr. Barber. 1
The use of the new model of double pipet holder is in nowise con-
fined to the bacteriologist; it can be used by cytologist, embryologist,
zoologist, and chemist. I believe that with the double pipet holder
many problems can be worked out with greater precision.
1 Jour. Infect. Dis.. 1908, 5, p. 379.
