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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



the milk into the jar. As soon as each was one-quarter full the top was 

 replaced and the jar was taken to the house for cooling Not long after, 

 they were brought to the laboratory where they were examined from time 

 to time to ascertain whether ropiness was present. Eleven out of the 

 fourteen jars developed ropiness, some sooner than others but most of 

 them withiu forty-eight hours. To illustrate the care exercised by Mr. A 

 in this experiment and what cleanliness in milking will do, we wish to 

 state that these samples of milk did not sour within sixty hours after 

 milking, exposed to the warm temperature of the laboratory. Not having 

 succeeded in eliminating the "ropy" bacteria by this step, milk was taken 

 directly from the udders of the three cows whose milk first showed signs 

 of ropiness in the fruit jars. It is possible to draw milk from the udder 

 of a cow under an absolutely sterile condition. For this purpose flasks are 

 prepared in the following manner: A 50 cc. Erlenmeyer flask is thoroughly 

 washed and dried. A silver coin milking tube 

 is then fitted to a glass tube which reaches 

 nearly to the bottom of the flask, the meeting 

 of the milking tube and glass tube forming a 

 joint at the neck of the flask, where the cotton 

 wool plug which is used to close the mouth of 

 the flask will cover the joint. A thin layer of 

 cotton wool is then slipped over the milking 

 tube, covering the cotton wool plug and pro- 

 jecting over the lip of the neck of the flask. 

 This is bound down firmly with thread by run- 

 ning it in every direction over the cotton wool 

 forming a network and binding or fastening 

 it underneath the lip. A cap is made to cover 

 the milking tube entirely, extending from the 

 cotton wool plug in the neck of the flask to 

 the tip of the milking tube and covering the 

 tip completely. It is made so firmly that it 

 may be slipped on and off with ease. This 

 outfit was placed in the sterilizing oven for the 

 usual time. When ready for use the teat of 

 the cow is washed with a corrosive sublimate 

 solution, the cap removed from the milking 

 tube, the tube inserted into the milk duct, and 

 as soon as removed the cap is replaced. By 

 following this method, sterile milk may be 

 obtained from a cow if some milk be removed 

 at first from the teat to render the duct free ^ig.i. Flask used in drawing milk. 

 from bacteria. In this instance very little milk was removed before the 

 insertion of the milking tube; but at the end of ninety hours the milk was 

 still sweet and free from ropiness. 



From the work thus far it would seem that the "ropy" bacteria were 

 located on the udders of the cows; but before taking up the work farther 

 concerning this matter, it is desirable to state the second case that came 

 to our notice. 



On Wednesday following the Tuesday when Mr, A brought a sample 

 of his cream to the bacteriological laboratory, a milk dealer in the city of 

 Lansing discovered ropiness in one of his cans. It was confined to this single 

 can and did not spread to the others; all but this can were, however, peddled 



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