34 COD AND OTHER SALT FISH FOR THE MARKET. 



objectionable. It was evident from the statement of the method of 

 application and the quantity used that the acid would not be an anti- 

 septic for most germs, and if efficient in this case, it was due to the 

 particular organisms .having no resistance to a faintly acid condition. 

 The effect of distilled vinegar was tried on twelve cakes and a like 

 number was used as a control, all of the cakes selected being slightly 

 red. The treated cakes showed that the vinegar had a decided inhib- 

 iting action, but an objectionable odor was observed in the cases 

 where the most good was accomplished. 



In tests made to determine the quantity of the acid required to 

 prohibit growth a gelatin was made which would to some degree 

 approximate the conditions existing on the fish. Ten grams of pep- 

 tone, 100 grams of gelatin, and 1,000 cc of sea water were mixed, 

 cleared in the usual way, and titrated. To portions of this gelatin 

 acetic acid was added before sterilization in the following amounts: 

 One-twentieth, one-fifteenth, one-tenth, one-fifth, and one-half per 

 cent, respectively. Inoculations were made of the coccus, the bacillus, 

 and the Oidium. The check for this coccus developed a slight surface 

 growth and was thin and tapering along the stab. No development 

 occurred in the tubes containing the acetic acid, indicating that even 

 as small an amount as one-twentieth per cent was sufficient to inhibit 

 development. The bacillus in the check gave a development in 

 twenty-four hours, a slight growth and liquefaction appearing. The 

 development later was rapid, but none occurred when the acetic acid 

 was used, one-twentieth per cent being sufficient to inhibit. In the 

 tests with Oidium a growth appeared in the check and in the tubes 

 containing one-twentieth per cent of acetic acid inside of twenty- 

 four hours, being slightly less in the acid than 'in the check. As 

 growth proceeded, the slight check produced by the acid was more 

 apparent in the smaller amount of liquefaction than in the actual 

 decrease of growth. In the one-fifteenth per cent of acetic acid, 

 growth was delayed three days, but after that it was only slightly 

 less than in the one-twentieth per cent. No growth occurred in any 

 of the other tubes. Evidently for this organism the amount neces- 

 sary for inhibition is about one-tenth per cent. Ordinary gelatin 

 was used in like tests with practically the same results. These tests 

 indicate that acetic acid in very dilute solution is sufficient to arrest 

 the growth of the organisms. 



SANITARY CONDITIONS. 

 HANDLING AND STORAGE. 



On board the fishing vessels the handling of the catch is conducted 

 under fairly sanitary conditions. The boats are thoroughly scrubbed 

 before leaving on a trip and the fish are dressed and washed soon 

 after being caught. They are salted or iced as they are put into 



