828 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



there is at present some confusion of opinion on these points. A num- 

 ber of instances are cited in which unprejudiced persons have declared 

 against oleomargarine after using it a short time, asserting that it 

 caused indigestion. 



Comparative studies of the germs in butter aud in oleomargarine 

 showed a much larger number in the latter, and that these were of a 

 less desirable character. 



"The writer lias made a number of inoculation experiments upon guinea pigs 

 with different samples of oleomargarine. The samples were purchased in open mar- 

 ket near the places Avhere they were manufactured. Sample No. 3 proved fatal, 

 causing the death of the animal in the one instance in 2 months; in the other, in 2 

 weeks. An examination showed the lungs congested, the liver soft and pale, 1 of 

 the kidneys badly congested, and 5 distinct ulcers in the intestines, like typhoid- 

 fever ulcers. The bladder was distended and the urine albuminous. At the present 

 writing the nature of this disease has not been determined, but the fatal effects were 

 produced by the oleomargarine. Another guinea pig inoculated with a sample of 

 oleo oil, taken from a lot used in the manufacture of oleomargarine, died within 3 

 weeks, the autopsy showing badly congested lungs, liver dark, blood vessels con- 

 gested, and the small intestines containing bloody mucus. 



"Five months after inoculation with another sample of oleomargarine, the pig 

 which had been used for the experiment was chloroformed for examination. The 

 animal was in fair condition, but the left lung showed incipient tuberculosis, and 

 this disease was also apparent in the spleen, and there were several calcareous 

 tubercular nodules adherent to the sternum. A preparation made from this same 

 sample had shown the presence of a germ which could scarcely be anything but the 

 tuberculosis bacillus. The result of the inoculation confirmed this diagnosis. The 

 inoculations of all the animals were made by introducing in the side a bit of fat the 

 size of a small pea. The incision healed rapidly, and at the time of the autopsies 

 there was no evidence of local lesions or any effect which might have been due 

 directly to the mechanical part of the inoculations. 



"A number of other guinea pigs have been inoculated with different samples of 

 oleomargarine, but at this writing (after 8 months) have not contracted disease from 

 the oleomargarine inoculation. Two of the samples which caused disease in the ani- 

 mals were made at a factory where the material used may have been questionable in 

 character. 



"Our inoculation experiments show conclusively that disease may bo communi- 

 cated by means of oleomargarine. The objection might be raised that disease could 

 also be communicated in the same way by butter. It is, however, a very simple and 

 easy matter to pasteurize the cream before churning. . . . The temperature of pas- 

 teurization is unfavorable for oleo-oil manufacture. . . . 



"The statements of most authorities have been to the effect that oleomargarine is 

 good and digestible atd healthful, provided it is made from pure material and the 

 process is properly conducted. The legitimate and safe manufacture of oleomar- 

 garine can be secured, therefore, only when there is careful and safe control and 

 inspection at the abattoirs and oleomargarine factories of both the finished product 

 and the constituents which enter into its manufacture. Then, too, all the oleomar- 

 garine should be sold as oleomargarine, and should have something distinctive about 

 its appearance— absence of color, as Massachusetts demands, or a specially bright 

 color; and every pound of it should be carefully inspected at the factories before 

 being shipped, to see that the particular distinctive character is present." 



In conclusion analyses are given of a number of samples of oleomar- 

 garine and of butter. The melting point of the oleomargarine was about 

 10° C. lower than that of butter and several of the samples contained 



