BACTERIA OF MILK AND ITS PRODUCTS 317 



milking. In 1895 an epidemic of typhoid fever occurred in 

 Stamford, Conn. Altogether there were three hundred and 

 seven cases. This epidemic was thoroughly investigated. It 

 was found that the greater number of patients were in the 

 habit of drinking milk, that practically all of them took milk 

 from a single dairyman, and that, while the premises were in 

 good condition and no typhoid fever could be detected on the 

 place, the cans, after they were washed in the house, 

 were taken to a well to be rinsed. This well was situated 

 in a plowed field, and was covered with loose boards. The 

 field was manured with night soil, and it is believed that 

 the B. typhosus present in the soil was carried on the feet of 

 the men, and got into the water through the cracks in the board 

 cover. 



Cholera Asiatica. Cholera can undoubtedly be carried 

 through a milk supply, although the fact that the Msp. comma 

 is very susceptible to acids undoubtedly makes it quite impos- 

 sible for this germ to grow in milk to any extent, or even to live 

 for any length of time. Practically only one epidemic has been 

 traced to milk, and this is the well-known Simpson case. 

 Cholera suddenly appeared on shipboard in the harbor of Cal- 

 cutta. It was found that ten men obtained milk from a native. 

 Of these, five were sick with cholera but recovered, four were 

 sick and died, while one who drank only a little milk escaped. 



Diphtheria. A considerable number of epidemics has 

 been traced to milk supplies. From 1877-1898 thirty-six 

 epidemics of diphtheria, caused by infected milk, are de- 



