PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION 



It has been found desirable to provide the student, just 

 beginning the study of bacteriology, with a somewhat detailed 

 outline of the work to be done at each laboratory session. 

 The selecting of the particular things to be done and the 

 choosing of methods to be followed are difficult tasks. The 

 assigning of directions for doing work under assumed condi- 

 tions must necessarily partake of the empirical, and often fail. 

 It is evident, however, that practical bacteriology must, if 

 successfully taught, be cast in a somewhat definite form in 

 order that the student may come to a knowledge of the funda- 

 mental principles underlying the subject in its twofold capacity, 

 that of a pure science and of a useful art. 



These outlines are intended either to serve simply as a 

 guide through an introductory laboratory course preparatory 

 to independent research work, or to form the basis for the 

 application of the principles of bacteriology in the practice 

 of human or of comparative medicine. They aim to impart 

 a technical and working knowledge of certain of the more 

 essential methods and to develop a definite knowledge of a 

 few important species of bacteria. During the past year, they 

 were furnished the students in mimeographed sheets, but after 

 making the changes suggested by this application it seems 

 desirable to put them in a more convenient form. In adjust- 



