Further studies on the attachment of bacteria to skin

Abstract

1. A proportion of the bacterial flora of the skin is present in the surrounding water film and can be removed by adequate rinsing. 2. The remainder of the flora is attached to the skin in such a manner that numbers can be reduced only 10-fold during spray-cooling or spin-chilling. 3. The reduction process was found to be independent of bacterial type or the extent of previous contamination. 4. The significance of the "water film flora" is discussed with respect to the attachment of bacteria and the cleaning of carcasses.