[Examination and evaluation of the hygiene status of natural peloids for human medical use].

For curative treatment in German spas, different muds for medical mud-baths and mud-packs are also used besides mineral springs. Muds of this kind are known by the collective term of "peloids". According to the "Definitions of the German Health Resorts Association", peloids are classified by a new geological-genetic system. After discussing hygienic aspects and problems of diverse therapeutic applications using peat, marine muds or fango, standardized methods for microbiological examinations are described. For the microbiological control parameters E. coli, Coliform organisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, suggested values and threshold values are given in detail.