76 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



per cent. From this it is seen that large variatious occur during a four-week 

 period, tlius lowering the reliability of such a test as compared with one taken 

 weekly. 



Review of milk hygiene investigations of the last twelve years, W. Rull- 

 MANN (Ceiithl. Unlet, [eic], 1. AM., Orig., 11 (1913), No. 2-3, pp. 165-182).— The 

 author reviews the principal chemical and bacteriological tests of milk and milk 

 products that are of practiciil use in milk hygiene control. 



The hygiene of the transportation of animal-food products by rail, boat, 

 and wagon in the United States, R. M. Chapin (Trans. 15. Intemat. Cong. 

 Hyg. and Demogr. Washington, 5 {1912), Sect. 7, pp. 121-128). — ^An account of 

 the most approved methods of refrigeration and transiwrtation of animal-food 

 products in the United States, and a plea for adequate federal, state, and mu- 

 nicipal inspection service. 



The supply of milk to Indian cities, H. H. Mann {Agr. Jour. India, 9 

 (lOUf), No. 2, pp. 160-177).— The author attempts to show the deplorable con- 

 dition of city milk supply at present in western India, the difficulties in im- 

 proving it, and the methods which seem to offer the most hopes of success. 



The economic problems of milk distribution in their relation to the public 

 health, J. R. Williams {Trans. 15. Intcrnat. Cong. Ilijg. and Demogr. ^Yash- 

 ington, 5 {1912), Sect. 7, pp. 128-1^0). — The author contends that the economic 

 aspects of milk distribution in our large cities are probably of more importance 

 in their relation to public health than the purely sanitary problems. A study 

 was made of 15 sections of the city of Rochester, N. Y., each containing from 

 100 to 700 homes, and each section differing more or less from the others in 

 wealth, social standing, or nationality. It was found that the poorer classes 

 use less milk and accordingly buy it in smaller quantities, and that the use of 

 store milk and condensed milk is largely confined to the laboring classes. 



Another fact noted was the large number of milkmen going into each district. 

 It is claimed that at the present time half of what the consumer pays for milk 

 is required to maintain this wasteful system of distribution. It is believed 

 that if the milk supply of this citj' was to be distributed by one agency properly 

 organized and equipped, a saving to consumers of at least $500,000 yearly could 

 be effected. Likewise the present system of distribution is held responsible for 

 much of the poor milk that is sold. 



It is suggested that cities should control their own milk supplies, to the end 

 that the people may have pure, wholesome milk at a minimum cost. 



Influence of foot-and-mouth disease on the constitution of milk and 

 butter, F. Bordas and de Raczkowski {Ann. Falsif., 7 {191.'t), No. 68, pp. 271- 

 292). — It was found that the fat and mineral substances, notably the chlorids, 

 of the milk of cows affected with foot-and-mouth disease were materially in- 

 creased. There was no material modification in the lactose content, and the 

 quantity of organic phosphorus In the milk was comparable with that of the 

 normal healthy cow. The acidity of the milk was not altered. It was noted 

 that the influence on the yield was not marked, the first day there being a 

 slight increase, with a gradual diminution thereafter. Certain of the milks 

 appeared viscous, with occasionally a reddish coloration. The milk may be 

 contagious, pus cells and pathogenic bacteria being present. An inoculation of 

 a guinea pig confirmed its contagious character. 



The influence of the disease on the constitution of butter appears to be vari- 

 able, some butters being altered in constitution, while others are practically 

 normal. All such butters, however, should be considered unmarketable. 



The influence of Bacterium lactis acidi upon the changes caused in milk by 

 some of the common milk micro-organisms, C. N. Brown {Rpt. Mich. Acad. 

 Sci., 15 {1913), pp. 71-73).— It is stated that the growth of B. lactis acidi in 



