APPENDIX 577 
Transportation of Bacteriological Specimens. The preparation and 
shipment of specimens for bacteriological examinationis a very impor- 
tant procedure. Unfortunately the bacteriologist and ‘chemist may not 
have much to do with this step in the examination of any substance; 
usually, he is expected to handle the specimen after it has been delivered 
to his laboratory. At times, he may be quite justified in refusing to 
handle certain specimens which are sent because it would be dangerous 
to himself or to those with whom he comes in contact. Since much of 
the material for bacteriological examination is sent through the United 
States mails it is important that he have a knowledge of the postal 
rules and regulations which concern these shipments. Hasseltine 
(1918)* has given a good résumé of the subject. The following quota- 
tion is cited by this author from the Postal Regulations issued by the 
Post Office Department. Sections 472 and 473 read as follows: 
Sec. 472. All kinds of poison, and all articles and compositions 
containing poison, and all poisonous animals, insects and reptiles, and 
explosives of all kinds, and inflammable materials and infernal machines, 
and mechanical, chemical, or other devices or compositions, which may 
ignite or explode, and all disease germs or scabs, and all other natural or 
artificial articles, compositions or materials of whatsoever kind which 
may kill, or in any wise hurt, harm or injure another, or damage, deface, 
or otherwise injure the mails or other property, whether sealed as first- 
class matter or not, are hereby declared to be non-mailable matter, and 
shall not be conveyed in the mails or delivered from any post office or 
station thereof, nor by any letter carrier; but the Postmaster General 
may permit the transmission in the mails, under such rules and regula- 
tions as he shall prescribe as to preparation and packing, of any articles 
hereinbefore described which are not outwardly or of their own force 
dangerous or injurious to life, health or property. (The rest of this 
section is not concerned with shipment of bacteriological materials.) 
Sec. 473. 1. Specimens of diseased tissues may be admitted to the 
inail for transmission to United States, State, municipal, or other labora- 
tories in possession of permits referred to in paragraph 3 of this section 
only when inclosed in mailing cases constructed in accordance with this 
regulation: Provided, That bacteriologic or pathologic specimens of 
plague and cholera shall under no circumstances be admitted to the 
mails. 
2. Liquid cultures, or cultures of microorganisms in media that are 
* Hasseltine, H. E. 1918. Public Laboratory Specimens, Their Preparation 
and Shipment. Public Health Reports 32, 2016-2032. Reprint from the same No. 
438-1918. 
