Lactic Ferment
a minute organism which, under the microscope, is seen to consist of small elliptical cells, generally detached, but sometimes occurring in chains of two or three. It is developed in milk, when it is allowed to stand for some time, and is the cause of the milk becoming sour, the sugar of the milk changing into lactic acid.
LACTOMETER (-tom'-), or GALAC- TOMETER, a species of hydrometer, graduated to show the comparative specific gravity and consequent value of different samples of milk. The instrument is a good evidence of the specific gravity of milk, and the specific gravity is a probable, but not positive, evidence of quality. Taken in connection with the per cent. glass, which measures the per cent. of cream that rises, it is nearly a positive indicator of pure and watered milk.