

CHAPTER VIII. 



BACTERIA IN MARKET MILK; THEIR ORIGIN AND 



ACTION. 



Before milking is commenced the udder should be cleansed 

 of all adhering dirt. Cleanliness in milking is one of the most 

 important factors in giving the milk good keeping qualities. Sub- 

 sequent cleansing through straining, nitration, centrifugaliza- 

 tion, etc., is of little purpose after the dirt particles (straw, 

 manure, dirt) have once imparted to the milk their soluble con- 

 stituents, and an actual inoculation has been accomplished with 

 the bacteria of filth. 



The tail of the cow should be tied, in order to prevent bacteria from the skin 

 being thrown into the milk by its switching. If left free it may even subject the milk 

 to contamination with coarser substances. 



The importance of the effect on human health of bacteria 

 which fall into the milk, and which multiply therein when milk 

 is improperly procured, is not known, but the thought is at least 

 repulsive when it is considered that milk consists of a manure sus- 

 pension of a bacterial culture, and on this ground alone absolute 

 cleanliness in milking should be insisted upon. In order to attain 

 this it is again necessary to provide a properly ventilated and 

 well kept stable, as well as milk room. The veterinarians can 

 in no way obtain a better recognition of the milk problem than 

 by always pointing out to the farmer the necessity of keeping 

 healthy cows in properly constructed and well-kept stables, and 

 in impressing upon him the fact that the procuring of pure milk 

 and its proper handling constitute the fundamental principles of 

 a prosperous development of the milk industry in general, and 

 not for the milk supply of the city alone. Many farmers, espe- 

 cially the small ones, can only be convinced by practical demon- 

 strations of the advantages to be derived from proper stabling 

 and care, and therefore it is our duty to win over reasonable and 

 progressive farmers to the erection of model dairies, and to offer 

 to the smaller farmer the aid and advice by which he can improve 

 his condition with the least expenditure. Even if nothing more 

 than diligence, attention and a feeling of responsibility are aroused 

 these alone would mean a tremendous improvement over the con- 

 ditions prevailing at the present time. 



It is evident that if no special milk rooms are provided every- 



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