INTRODUCTION 



Plan of exercises. Bacteriology has become one of the 

 recognized branches in the curriculum of all medical and vet- 

 erinary colleges. In many universities it is taught as a part of 

 the course in general biology. It is, however, still a young 

 science and the best methods for teaching it have not as yet 

 been determined. All are agreed, however, that in addition 

 to such text-book work and lectures as may be required there 

 should be laboratory practice in actually handling and study- 

 ing various bacteria and in determining their special morpho- 

 logical characters and physiological properties. 



In order to differentiate the various species of bacteria, to 

 isolate them from impure cultures or animal tissues, it is neces- 

 sary that one should be familiar with the methods to be used ; 

 otherwise the attention will be directed more to the modus 

 operandi than to the organisms themselves. On this point, 

 however, there is much difference of opinion. Some labora- 

 tory workers believe that the methods should be taken up and 

 learned in connection with the study of the various species of 

 bacteria and thus avoid the loss of time that special instruc- 

 tion in methods requires. Others favor a devotion of a por- 

 tion of the time to a consideration and drill in the methods 

 to be employed later on in the course in the serious study of 

 species and in diagnostic work. 



