Total and differential cell counts were obtained for approximately 38 000 fore-milk samples taken from cows of the Institute herd during a period of 12 years.For most of the period of the experiment the incidence of subclmical mastitis associated with coagulase-positive staphylococci was about 5 % of all the quarters in milk, but for a period of about 12 months in the 7th and 8th year of the experiment the herd was free from infection with coagulase-positive staphylococci.The average cell count for cows in each lactation up to the 7th was calculated, and in addition each lactation was divided into 4 equal periods, and the average cell count for each period determined.It was found that the average total cell count increased from one lactation to the next, and that this rise was due mainly to an increase in the number of polymorphs in the samples, the counts of cells other than polymorphs remaining relatively constant.It was also found that the average total cell count rose during the course of any one lactation; but this was due to an increase in both the number of polymorphs and the number of cells other than polymorphs.During the period when the herd was free from infection with coagulase-positive staphylococci the average lactation age of the cows was 4-3 lactations, and the average total cell count was 0-30 million cells/ml, a figure which was the same as that obtained throughout the experiment for animals in their 1st lactation.Possible relationships between the rise in cell counts and the pathology of mastitis are discussed.As part of a long-term study of mastitis as it occurs in the Hannah Institute herd, fore-milk samples have been taken for cell counts at fortnightly intervals from most of the cows in the herd over a period of 12 years . From the results so obtained, the average cell counts for the milk of the cows in their lst-7th lactations have been calculated. In addition, each lactation has been divided into 4 equal periods and the average cell count for each period calculated. The object was to find what differences occurred in the average total cell count during any one lactation and also from one lactation to another.

Total and differential cell counts were obtained for 1710 samples of milk taken from cows in which the stage of lactation was known. A bacteriological examination of the samples was also made. The total and differential cell counts considered together showed no marked advantage over the total cell count alone in the diagnosis of mastitis, except in milk of late lactation.

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