312. The Introduction Of Pathogenic (Disease) Germs After The Milk Is Drawn

It is well established that epidemics of typhoid fever have been caused by the distribution of the germs of this disease in milk. There appears to be good evidence that cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria have originated in the same way. These particular germs are communicated to the milk after it leaves the cow's udder, for the bovine species is not-subject to the diseases mentioned. The source of such disease germs in milk is directly or indirectly some diseased person, perhaps convalescent, who comes in contact with the milk or milk utensils, or who inhabits the premises where the milk is produced. Fresh infectious material having its source in feces, the skin, or sputum, may find its way into milk, especially where cleanly habits are not maintained on the part of the infecting individual. The danger is augmented in the case of typhoid fever by the fact that the disease may exist for some time before being recognized, and the so-called " walking " cases are even more to be feared, where the disease germs may inhabit an individual for long periods of time without discovery. Such cases, when located on a farm, are a distinct menace to the sanitary quality of milk and other foods. Outside of the diseases mentioned, it is possible for milk to be infected with the germs of tuberculosis when this disease exists in the family where the milk is produced or handled. This is a danger scarcely appreciated by the great majority of persons.

313. Infection Of Milk From Diseased Cows

Tuberculosis, which is practically the only bovine disease that it is necessary to consider in this connection, is very prevalent among dairy cows. It is possible that one-tenth of the cows in New York are affected with this ailment, and perhaps more. Under certain conditions, the bacteria of tuberculosis are conveyed to milk through the udder. Milk so contaminated is a menace to human health. Fortunately only a small per cent of the diseased cows are dangerous in this way. Much investigation and discussion has been given to the relation between human and bovine tuberculosis, and it now seems more than probable that the danger to the human family from the bovine germ has been overestimated. The best authorities have come to hold that tuberculosis of the lungs will not be contracted from infected milk, or rarely, and that the chief danger is that such milk may be a source of glandular tuberculosis with children. In any case, tuberculous persons not under control are a vastly greater menace to humankind than are tuberculous cows.

314. The Precautions Necessary To Secure Pure Milk

Housewives, and especially persons responsible for the supply of milk to hospitals and other institutions, should understand the conditions necessary to the production and handling of milk in order to secure a pure and safe product. They are as follows:

1. Clean premises where milk is produced, including the stable and its surroundings. An accumulation of filth in immediate contact with the stable should be avoided. If possible, the excreta from the cows should be at once removed to some distance from the stable.

2. Cows should not be milked while the air is heavily laden with dust from the moving of hay and litter. It is possible to so arrange the feeding and milking periods as to avoid this.

3. The cows should be kept as free as possible from dirt and dust by thorough brushing. The long hair around the udder should be clipped short, and especially before milking should the udder be thoroughly brushed and then rubbed with a moist cloth.

4. The hands and clothing of the milker should be clean.

5. The milking utensils should be cleaned and sterilized by heat in the most thorough manner.

6. Special forms of milking pails should be used that protect the milk as fully as possible while it is being drawn.

7. Persons afflicted with, or convalescent from, infectious diseases should be kept away from the stables, milk, and milk utensils. It is almost criminal for such persons to be allowed to infect milk and thereby cause epidemics of diseases dangerous to human life.

8. The herd should be inspected at intervals for the presence of tuberculosis, and if diseased cows are found, they should be isolated from the well animals, and their milk should neither be sold nor used in the home unless previously pasteurized. With the knowledge now possessed, no milk producer has any right, even unknowingly, to distribute milk from tuberculous animals. It is time for a general demand from consumers that herds producing their milk supply shall be tested for affected animals.

315. Pasteurization Of Milk As A Safeguard Against The Effects Of Pollution

It has often been advocated that the consumers of milk in cities be safeguarded against the effects of polluted milk by requiring that the entire city supply be pasteurized. Legislation to this effect has been proposed, but it has been opposed by the rational argument that such a provision places clean and unclean milk on the same commercial level, and would greatly reduce the incentive for the production of milk of good sanitary quality. Pasteurization would simply " throw a blanket" over dirty and infected milk, and would check the campaign of education for a better milk supply. It is probable, too, that milk heated to 155°F., or higher, is not as well adapted to the stomachs of infants and invalids, as is clean raw milk. The requirement should rest on the producer to market a healthful article, and he should be given no excuse for doing otherwise.