86 



MILK 



the richest in bacteria, so that it is necessary to well mix the 

 milk before a sample is withdrawn. 



In the collection of samples from individual cows care must 

 be taken to avoid outside contamination. The cows' udders and 

 teats must be washed carefully, and the milker must wash and 

 disinfect his hands. The milk is milked direct into the bottle, 

 the stopper being held by its free end by a second person to 

 avoid contamination, and inserted immediately after the sample 



Fig. 8. Collecting bottle and ice box. 



has been collected. The bottle should not have too narrow a 

 mouth. In some cases it may be sufficient to collect a mixed 

 sample from the four quarters, and then care should be taken to 

 obtain as nearly as possible equal quantities of milk from each 

 teat. In other cases it may be necessary to collect a separate 

 sample from each quarter. In general the fore milk should be 

 rejected and middle milk sampled. In rare instances it may be 

 necessary to collect fore, middle, and end milk samples from one 

 special quarter or from each of them. 



The milk should be collected in sterile bottles with accurately 



