PREFATORY NOTE. 



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 par- 

 ticular things to be done and the choosing of methods to be followed 

 are difficult tasks. The assigning of directions for doing work under 

 assumed conditions 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 fundamental princi- 

 ples underlying the subject in its twofold capacity, that of a pure sci- 

 ence and of a useful art. 



These outlines are intended to serve simply as a guide through an 

 introductory laboratory course preparatory either to independent re- 

 search 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 adjusting the amount of work for 

 each exercise to the necessary limitations of time and facilities, I am 

 indebted to Mr. Raymond C. Reed, Instructor in this Department, for 

 much valuable assistance. I wish also to thank Prof. Charles Wright 

 Dodge of the University of Rochester for helpful suggestions. Should 

 these outlines fall in the hands of other teachers or workers in this 



subject, criticisms are cordially invited. 



V. A. M. 



