MILK 87 



fitting glass stoppers. For the ordinary examination of mixed 

 milk a sample of about a pint is a convenient amount to obtain, 

 but for most purposes a much smaller quantity is sufficient 

 particularly for samples from individual cows. 



To collect the sample the simple and efficient apparatus 

 described by Delepine (Fig. 8) may be used. It consists of a 

 metal case containing a 7 or 8 oz. bottle and a milk-scoop. 

 All the parts are thoroughly sterilized in the laboratory before 

 being sent out, and the sterilized case is opened only at the time 

 when the sample is taken. The sterilized scoop is used to 

 remove the milk from the cans or other vessels. 



If the samples have to be transmitted any distance, or cannot 

 be examined within an hour or two, they must be packed in ice. 



The ice-box used by Delepine (Fig. 8), which is similar to 

 the apparatus the writer uses for bacteriological samples of water, 

 is very convenient. The size the writer uses is made to just 

 hold four 2 oz. bottles and their tins, but larger bottles are more 

 convenient for milk samples. The glass-stoppered bottles are 

 sterilized in their tins, into which they just fit, being prevented 

 from moving by layers of asbestos cardboard above and below. 



Some alteration in the bacterial content takes place at o C. 

 or a few degrees above this temperature but it is not marked for 

 several days and there is no material alteration or error of judg- 

 ment in examining samples kept iced for not more than 12 to 

 20 hours. 



Particulars to record with the Samples. 



Certain particulars must be carefully recorded, and should 

 include : 



(a) Date and time of sampling. 



(b) Identification details as to farm or person from whom 

 the milk is obtained. 



(c) If mixed milk or from individual cows. 



(d) If mixed milk, whether collected from byre, in transit, in 

 shop, etc., or as delivered. 



