Author's Preface 



THE increased importance of milk as human food demands 

 more and more the application of modern accomplishments 

 and experiences achieved by science and practice, in order 

 to elevate the milk industry to the desired high standard. 



The principal stress must be laid upon production, which con- 

 stitutes a special field of the milk industry, and which is most 

 generally in need of elevation and improvement. The product 

 will be without reproach only when the conditions of production 

 correspond to the value of this food. 



In the field of production, veterinarians are the proper ex- 

 perts who must stand by the side of the producers and give them 

 the necessary advice and instruction. Only by the active and ex- 

 pert aid of veterinarians can it be hoped to improve the good-will 

 of the producers ; provided, at the same time, other points of milk 

 hygiene which possess bad features in spite of the active progress 

 of milk control and sanitary methods which have been noted for 

 many decades also receive proper attention. 



In order to be able to offer expert advice a thorough knowl- 

 edge of milk, its formation, procurement and characteristics, is 

 necessary; likewise, a knowledge of conditions which have an in- 

 fluence upon milk while still in the animal body, and the factors 

 which change this food after its procurement. These points have 

 received the principal consideration in the following chapters. 



In the plan which I have followed, those questions which treat 

 of the judgment of milk as human food in relation to its chemical 

 contents, were given less prominence. Certain points of this sub- 

 ject have been mentioned only to an extent that was considered 

 advisable for the general comprehension of the subject. More 

 specific questions, as for instance, the preparation of certain milk 

 mixtures for the feeding of infants, the advantages and disadvan- 

 tages of feeding cows' milk to infants, the action of a milk diet 

 in the treatment of adults, etc., are subjects for the physician. A 



