56 BACTERIOLOGICAL METHODS 



This is by no means a simple problem. Much of this field of work 

 is as yet untouched, and it is not likely that definite conclusions 

 will be reached in the very near future. It means an investigation 

 of those conditions which are recognized as diseases in industrial 

 or manufactured products, characterized by unaccountable de- 



Fig. 16. — Mold from decomposing plum. — (Howard, Yearbook U. S. Depl. of 

 Agriculture, ign.) 



teriorations in flavor, in taste, in color, in nutritive value, etc. It 

 means a very careful study of organisms which are similar in 

 morphology and yet quite different in specific functional activities, 

 giving rise to objectionable fermentation products. 



The following tables will give some idea of the number of organ- 

 isms which occur in certain canned food products. Animal food 



