The use of radiation to estimate the numbers of micro-organisms in air-borne particles

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Abstract
The form of the killing curve obtained by bombaring micro-organisms with high energy electrons enables an estimate to be made of the numbers of individual viable organisms present in the aggregates or clumps comprising the sample. Samples of Staph. aureus collected from the air of two hospital wards have been found to consist of aggregates containing, on the average, only about four viable cocci per air-borne particle. These samples were taken during quiet periods and during periods of active dispersion of the organism but there was no active spread of staphylococcal disease at any time.The work on the linear accelerator was carried out with the aid of grants provided by the Treasurer and the Board of Governors from the Discretionary Fund of St Bartholomew's Hospital, to whom we wish to express our gratitude.

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