CONTENTS.

Page.
Introductory[7]
Method of curing hams[8]
Definition of souring[10]
Classification of sour hams and location of sour areas[10]
Method of detecting sour hams[12]
Theories in regard to ham souring[12]
Previous experimental work to determine cause of ham souring[13]
The present experiments[14]
Media employed[14]
Method of procedure in examining hams[15]
Results of examination of sour and sound hams[16]
Histological changes in sour hams[17]
Chemical analyses of sour and sound hams[18]
Bacteriological examination of sour and sound hams[20]
Inoculation experiments with hams[21]
Probable method by which ham-souring bacillus enters hams[33]
Possibility of infection prior to slaughter[33]
Possible infection from pickling fluids[34]
Experiment to show whether infection takes place from the curing pickle[34]
Possible infection through manipulation or handling[35]
Infection from ham thermometers[35]
Experiment to show whether hams become infected from ham thermometers[37]
Infection from pumping needles[41]
Infection from billhooks[42]
Biological and morphological characteristics of the ham-souring bacillus[43]
Conditions favorable to growth[43]
Growth on different culture media[43]
Morphology[46]
Spore formation[46]
Resistance to heat and chemical agents[47]
Gas production[47]
Acid production[48]
Pathogenic properties[48]
Nature of the bacillus[48]
Prevention of ham souring[50]
General summary and conclusions[53]
Acknowledgments[55]