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After a discussion of the microbiological standards for milk powder and powdered baby food in various countries, the results of the microbiological analyses of some 1500 samples of these foodstuffs were presented. It emerged that the microflora of these products consists mainly of lactobacteria (they are not demonstrable with all culture methods), micrococci and bacilli: the latter are those with the greatest importance with respect to food hygiene. In addition to these Clostridia and moulds are also found in the samples; very occasionally enterobacteria are also found. No pathogenic germs were detected. With respect to the proposals for standards it was found that the latest Hungarian standards proposals are acceptable provided that the methods of analysis (culturing after Polonyi) are retained also for the proposals discussed.

The microflora of the air in university lecture rooms was examined with the sedimentation method. For this purpose blood agar (20 degrees C and 37 degrees C), saline agar and Endo plates were used. The germ counts identified correlate to the size and utilization of the rooms. The lowest germ count was determined in the room used for practical work, which was followed by the lecture room. The newly built lecture room contained the highest colony count. The floor ventilation furnishes an explanation for this. Most of the colonies were Gram-positive cocci (micrococci, indifferent streptococci, sarcins). Aerobic spore-forming organisms were found to be present in smaller quantities than cocci. Fungi, mainly, moulds grew better at a temperature of 20 centigrade. The microbiological monitoring of air forms an important part of environmental protection. Great importance can be attached to a stardization of the air germ count in the prevention of airborne infections.

The importance of the public swimming bath for the dissemination of Trichomonas vaginalis is disputed. 30 samples, each of 250 ml bath water from four indoor swimming baths, were examined for trichomonads. All the samples were negative. 218 smears taken from the wet places on the heated benches and other seating accommodation in these swimming baths were cultured for trichomonads and bacteria. Trichomonas vaginalis could not be demonstrated. Fecal organisms were found in 56 places, antibiotic-sensitive staphylococci were cultured from 20 samples and Ps. aeruginosa from 8. The negative tests for trichomonads suggests that the indoor swimming bath has no epidemiological importance in the dissemination of this parasite.