68 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MILK HYGIENE 



ducing what is known as viscid, " ropy," or " stringy " 

 milk (page 69). 



5. Premature curdling may occur in connection with 

 disturbances of digestion, udder diseases, advanced preg- 

 nancy, overexertion and feeding sour brewers' grains 

 and distillery slop ; it may also result from the develop- 

 ment of excessive numbers of the acid-forming and 

 peptonizing udder cocci as a consequence of incomplete 

 milking. In the latter case, sodium bicarbonate or sali- 

 cylic acid internally is recommended. 



6. "Gritty" or "Sandy" Milk. Small granular 

 particles, concrements of calcium and magnesium phos- 

 phate, occur in milk when defects exist in the epithelium 

 of the alveoli of the udder which permit the passage of 

 the salts of the blood ; also when salts are present in the 

 blood in excessive quantity as a result of the feeding of 

 substances containing a high percentage of mineral mat- 

 ter (Weigmann). These granules may be increased in 

 size by the adhesion of mucus, epithelial cells, salts, etc., 

 and form milk stones or udder stones (calculi), which 

 may make milking difficult or painful. The calculi are 

 of various shapes and sizes and may be as large as a bean. 



" Bloody " milk, the ce flaky " milk occurring in mas- 

 titis and the other changes associated with disease of the 

 udder and other pathological conditions are considered 

 in the chapter on the " Influence of Disease Upon Milk." 

 For other defects, see also the remarks under odor and 

 taste (page 28). 



(6) Milk Defects which Appear after the Milk is Drawn 

 from the Udder. The greater part of these defects 

 are caused by certain species of bacteria, yeasts and 

 fungi which grow well at low temperatures. Spring- 

 houses, cooling-rooms and other dark, damp places fur- 



