COLOSTRUM 13 



reduced to the amount normally found in milk. Oxydase 

 and peroxydase may be absent for thirty hours or less 

 f ollowing parturition, but after that time they are usually 

 present (Gruber). 



The bactericidal power of colostrum is greater than 

 that of milk. 



Change from Colostrum to Milk. The secretion of 

 the udder changes gradually in appearance and com- 

 position until, in about a week after parturition, it be- 

 comes milk. According to Weber, the consistency is 

 changed to that of milk by the second to the fifth day, 

 usually by the third; the color by the third to the eighth 

 day, usually by the fifth, and the reaction by the seventh 

 day, although this is variable. The colostrum bodies 

 persist for variable periods. In some cows they continue 

 to be present indefinitely in small number, while in 

 others they are absent even in the first days of secre- 

 tion. Shortly before the lactation ceases they again be- 

 come numerous. 



Judgment of Colostrum as a Food for Man. While 

 colostrum is of great value to the new-born calf, it is 

 not considered desirable as human food. It has not been 

 proven to be injurious to the health of man, but the 

 odor and taste are obnoxious, and its appearance is unap- 

 petizing. Regulations of local health authorities for 

 the control of milk supplies, therefore, forbid the sale of 

 the product of a cow for food purposes usually for one 

 week after parturition, and also for fifteen days before. 

 It has been proposed by Weber that the use of the udder 

 secretion be prohibited for general food purposes as long 

 as it coagulates when boiled (2 to 4 days), and that its 

 use for children be forbidden as long as it continues to 

 react to the alcohol test (4 to 12 days). 



