THE detection of Clostridium botulinum usually involves culturing the suspect sample, and then testing the culture for the presence of botulinum toxin. The toxin is identified by mouse protection tests using specific botulinum antitoxins1, a procedure complicated by the known existence of six different types of Cl. botulinum2, each with its specific toxin. These culture and mouse inoculation procedures require much time and special animal facilities, and greatly hinder experimental work with Cl. botulinum.