116 Report of the Department of Bacteriology. 



In spite of the limitations of the microscopic method it possesses 

 these advantages : In some samples it shows the presence of bacteria 

 not adapted to growth on gelatin or agar; the results can be obtained 

 within a few minutes from the time the sample is taken; the initial 

 expense for apparatus and equipment is less than that required 

 for the plate technique and the depreciation very slight; a technically 

 trained man is not essential as is the case where the plate method 

 is used. 



The microscopic method of milk examination has its limitations 

 as well as the plate method, and the limitations of the two methods 

 are such that the one supplements the other. For commercial 

 work with unpasteurized market milk the microscopic method for 

 determining bacterial quality shows promise of greater usefulness 

 than the plate method. 



