MILK HYGIENE 111 



But one other disease common to man and cattle is of 

 marked importance because of its direct transmission by 

 means of milk. Foot and mouth disease, the causal organism 

 of which is unknown, is transmitted by milk. The milk is 

 infected before it is drawn. 



A considerable number of epidemics of typhoid fever and 

 diphtheria have been traced to infected milk supplies. The 

 organisms causing these diseases always gain entrance to the 

 milk after its withdrawal from the animal. The farm water 

 may become contaminated with typhoid organisms, and the 

 use of such water for washing and rinsing of dairy utensils 

 may serve to contaminate the milk supply. 



Convalescents from an attack of the fever may be sources 

 of contamination, if they are concerned in the handling of 

 the milk, or persons serving in the dual capacity of nurse 

 and milkman may be the means of infection. An attack of 

 typhoid fever may be so slight as to pass unnoticed. Such 

 cases known as w walking typhoid " are especially dangerous, 

 since the individual does not recognize the gravity of the 

 situation and accordingly does not use precautionary meas- 

 ures to prevent infection of the milk supply. 



Another factor is the " bacillus carrier," a person who may 

 have had typhoid fever years before, but who still harbors in 

 and distributes from his body myriads of typhoid bacteria. 

 Such persons are especially dangerous, as they themselves do 

 not realize the trouble they may cause. The presence of the 

 organism can only be determined by a thorough examination 

 of the dejecta of the individual. It is known that in one case 

 they persisted in the body for over forty-two years. 



Diphtheria bacilli in milk may be traced to convalescing 

 patients, or to persons having to do with diphtheria patients 

 and the milk supply. 



