Specimens for laboratory examination.

Appx. XXI.

B.—FOOD AND BEVERAGES.

       1. Bacteriological and chemical analysis of foodstuffs and beverages
are carried out at the Military Food Laboratory, Kasauli.

       2. The following foodstuffs and beverages only may be sent for
examination to District or Brigade Laboratories, and no others except
in cases of unusual urgency—i.e. , fresh flesh food, fresh vegetables,
fresh petty supplies, milk, drinking water, mineral waters, ice. As a
general rule in District and Brigade Laboratories chemical analyses,
except of milk, are not carried out.

       3. The submission of samples in connection with contracts or
routine examination of Supply Officers' stocks is dealt with in the
Standing Orders of the I. A. S. Corps.

       In the case of analyses carried out in connection with contracts,
reports will be forwarded to the officer on whose behalf the sample is
submitted, a copy being sent to the Director of Contracts, Army Head-
quarters. In the case of analyses for the routine examination of Supply
Officers' stocks, reports will be forwarded to the Officer Commanding
the Supply Depôt Company concerned.

       4. Samples other than those referred to in para 3 above, should be
taken under the direct personal supervision of a medical officer detailed
for the purpose, and he will be responsible for ensuring that the direc-
tions contained in the following paragraphs are carried out.

       5. In the collection of samples special care is necessary, in every
case, to ensure that a fair average of the substance is obtained, e.g. ,
both the crust and crumb of bread, and the rind and interior of cheese,
should be included. In the case of milk, the supply should be tho-
roughly mixed by stirring or pouring from one receptacle to another
before the sample is taken.

       6. The original container should be forwarded unopened, if possible.
Otherwise, if practicable, it should be forwarded with the sample.

       Articles not packed in original containers should be packed as
follows:—

          (a ) Liquids. —In clean, glass-stoppered bottles of such a size that
the sample completely fills the bottle.

          (b ) Solids. —In clean biscuit or other suitable tins.

          (c ) Semi-solids.— As in either (a ) or (b ) above according to which
may be more suitable, or in clean earthenware jars fitted
with clean bungs.

          (d ) Samples for bacteriological examination should be packed
(with sterile precautions) in sterile glass-stoppered bottles.

       The use of paper or other packing inside the receptacle in which
any of these samples are forwarded is prohibited, except when the
sample is contained in its original wrapper.

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