Beginning with classification of microorganisms, the chapter talks about morphological structures of bacteria, their shapes, reproduction, physiology, growth requirements, products of bacterial growth like – toxins, enzymes, pigments etc. Koch’s postulates are given and this is followed by the staining techniques for bacteria – like- Methylene blue, carbol fuchsin, Gram’s stain and all their Trouble Shooting issues. Rapid AFB cold stain technique is given, followed by stains for Diphtheria bacilli, stains for capsules, spores, spirochetes, fungi, flagella. Negative staining method is briefly described. This is followed by a description of motility of bacteria and how to assess that. Next commences the main component of bacteriology, viz; Culture techniques. Culture media used are given in sufficient detail, as are requirements for culture. Given nicely are the colony characteristics of various bacteria. Biochemical characteristics of bacteria and other such tests are mentioned along with serological diagnosis of various infections. Various culture media and methods of their preparation are presented in good detail. Later the culture techniques, inoculation etc. are given. Important sample that are given for culture to a microbiology lab are mentioned. Commercially available materials for cultures are covered. There are general instructions for microbiology also. Later individual bacteria are covered in ample detail, they are—Gram Positive cocci like. Staphylococci, Streptococci, Pneumococci. Gram negative cocci – like. Neisseria, Veilonella, Anaerobic spore bearing bacilli-like. Clostridia, Aerobic spore forming bacilli—like. Bacillus species. Presented later are Gram positive bacilli-like. Corynebacteria, Diphtheroid bacilli, Mycobacteria (presented in great detail along with an overview of a diagnostic approach to tuberculosis). AFB culture and sensitivity techniques are given along with Trouble Shooting issues. ADA use in TB diagnosis is given. All this is followed by the Gram negative bacilli – like . . Alcaligenes, Enterobacteriaceae (including- Proteus, E. coli, Klebsiella species, Aerobacter species, Enteric fever bacilli (S. typhi, paratyphi, etc. ), Dysentery causing bacilli (Shigella species), Pasteurella species, Bordetella species, Brucella species, Hemophilus species and Pseudomoas species. Given next are the Spirochetes (Treponemes, Leptospira species, Borrelia species). Automation in microbiology is given in brief. An exhaustive presentation about various microbiological products and fields of their usage is given. This is followed by a color atlas of Media and colonies as seen on them. Eventually all quality control issues as related to bacteriology are covered.