COMMEKCIAL EGGS IN" THE CENTRAL WEST. 17 
Bacterially, these eggs show a wider range and a slightly higher 
average count than the two types previously discussed. All had the 
yolk and the white intact. In 11 of the examinations reported the 
white and yolk were studied separately. Two of the series were 
sterile and not one showed the presence of B. coll. The fact that 
the odor on opening these eggs was universally good is to be 
emphasized 
The second series of Table 6 is composed of eggs which show before 
the candle the presence of blood in the germinal disk, and which 
are therefore equivalent to eggs at least 48 hours old at 103° F. In 
all of the eggs in this series the embryo was either alive or very 
recently dead, and the odor of the ^gg when opened was good. In 
all of them the presence of blood could be distinguished by means 
of the candle (see PI. V). These eggs, in most instances, could 
be separated into white and yolk. The average count for such eggs 
showing blood rings, but without disintegTation in the structure of 
the Qgg itself, is low, and some eggs are sterile. 
The third series, where incubation had continued for more than 
the equivalent of 48 hours at 103° F. and where the embryo was dead 
and the structure of the Qgg damaged to a greater or less extent, 
shows a universally higher count than the other series and some indi- 
vidual counts which are strikingly high. B. coli were noted but once 
in this series. It will be observ'ed that only one Qgg was separable 
into white and yolk. The odor was sometimes good and sometimes 
stale. 
EGGS HAVING DIRTY SHELLS. 
The Qgg with a dirty shell is one of the most objectionable factors 
of the Qgg industry. The contents may be fresh and the Qgg itself 
may be large, but the dirt on the shell consigns it at once to the 
seconds, and it brings a lowered price all through the market. Dirty- 
shell eggs do not store well and are therefore not available for hold- 
ing when the surplus production is greatest and when the market 
can secure more good, clean eggs than it needs. Often they scarcely 
pay the expense of marketing. The breaker, therefore, removes the 
dirty shell and endeavors to put the contents into a form in which 
it can be marketed. The very objectionable filth on the exterior of 
the shell naturally inclines one to the opinion that the contents of 
the Qgg may also be contaminated. Such outer filth is not conclusive 
evidence that the contents are infected. 
Table 7 gives the bacterial findings for 51 dirty-shell eggs of 
various grades of seconds and worse and 9 small samples, aggregat- 
ing 1,164 eggs. "Winter, spring, and summer eggs are included. The 
dirt on the shell consisted mostly of chicken feces and some dried 
mud or dried Qgg. Some of the shells were stained. These stains, 
which can not ordinarily be washed off, generally indicate that 
water as well as filth has come in contact with the Qgg shell, 
17625°— 14 2 
