EXAMINATION OF FROZEN EGG PRODUCTS. 87 



egg over the sterile container 1 which is to receive its contents, and 

 with sharp, stout forceps, which have been sterilized in the flame, 

 make a hole of sufficient size to allow the contents of the egg to drop 

 into the container. Contamination from above is prevented by 

 holding the egg with the acute pole down and making the stab from 

 below. 



In this manner introduce the contents of the desired number of 

 eggs into the container. Then thoroughly mix these eggs with a 

 sterilized electric stirrer, like those used at soda fountains to mix eggs. 



SEPARATED YOLK AND WHITE. 



Clean each egg with brush, soap, and water, and immerse for 10 

 minutes in 1:500 mercuric chlorid solution. Transfer with sterile 

 crucible tongs to a small conical graduate or other convenient holder, 

 acute pole uppermost. Remove the mercuric chlorid, and dry the 

 egg by pouring over it first alcohol and then ether. Scorch the 

 acute pole to kill spores that might remain. Immediately remove 

 the egg from the graduate, holding it near the blunt pole and turning 

 the acute pole down. The hands of the operator should have been 

 thoroughly greased with vaseline to avoid contamination by bacteria 

 that might rub off during the handling of the eggs. With sharp, 

 stout forceps which have been sterilized in the flame, make a hole 

 about \ centimeter in diameter in the acute pole. Contamination 

 from above is prevented by holding the egg with the acute pole 

 down and making the stab from below. Flame briskly the shell 

 around the hole and put the egg, with the acute pole down, upon the 

 flamed neck of a sterilized Erlenmeyer flask. Now heat the blunt 

 end of the egg with a Bunsen flame, keeping a close watch on the hole. 

 The heating expands the air in the air space, which expels the white 

 of the egg. As soon as the yolk appears in the hole, interrupt the 

 heating and tilt the egg from one side to the other to allow all of the 

 albumen to run out. Then hold the egg over another sterilized 

 container, and with a sterile platinum needle puncture the vitelline 

 membrane. 



In this way collect the whites of the desired number of eggs in 

 one container and the yolks in another. Finally thoroughly mix 

 the whites with a sterile electric stirrer. The yolks are treated in 

 like manner. 



Bacteriological Examination. 



Start the bacteriological examination immediately after the taking 

 of subsamples, all determinations being made on the gram basis. 

 After melting a subsample by partially immersing the container in 



1 A thoroughly cleaned Mason jar which has been sterilized in the autoclave with rubber ring and 

 cover in place makes a good container. 



