That infections frequently follow certain operations and are sometimes a direct result of bacteria being thrown into the blood stream at operation seems to be generally accepted. This study was undertaken in an effort to determine, if possible, how frequently bacteremia followed tonsillectomy, and in cases in which such a condition occurred, what relation the organisms causing the bacteremia bore to the flora of the interior of the excised tonsils. It was thought that if bacteremia did develop, a localization might readily occur and manifestations of rheumatic disease appear.
TECHNIC
Tonsils.—After removal, the tonsils were brought to the laboratory without preservative. They were washed three times in sterile saline, about 50 cc. being used for each washing. The tonsil was held firmly in a hemostat, seared and laid open. The inner surface was scraped with a platinum loop, and a broth tube seeded. From this two loopsful were inoculated