168 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MILK HYGIENE 



the udder, while the skin covering the teats remains soft 

 and pliable and there is an entire absence of cracks and 

 sores, even in winter. 



It is sometimes stated that dampening or washing the 

 udder irritates the skin, causing it to swell and crack, and 

 that it decreases the milk flow, but this is not entirely 

 correct. The udder will suffer no injury whatever unless 

 too much water is used and the organ is exposed to cold 

 air in a wet condition. There may be a decrease in the 

 milk secretion when a cow is subjected to the process 

 for the first time, but the milk flow returns to normal in 

 a few days and very frequently it is increased. The mas- 

 sage which accompanies the brushing and the wiping or 

 washing favors the flow of blood to the udder and usually 

 increases the secretion of milk. Udders which are kept 

 clean are affected with disease less frequently than dirty 

 udders. 



As a general rule, cows will produce more milk when 

 kept clean and comfortable than when they are kept 

 otherwise. Therefore cleaning the cows not only assists 

 in keeping dirt and bacteria out of the milk but usually 

 also increases the milk production. After the cows have 

 been cleaned they should be fastened so that they cannot 

 lie down before they are milked. 



3. Methods of Milking. The condition of the milker 

 as regards health and cleanliness should receive the atten- 

 tion of the inspector. No one should be permitted to 

 milk cows or handle milk in any way who is affected with 

 any infectious disease, especially typhoid fever, diph- 

 theria, and scarlet fever, or who has been in contact with 

 persons affected with any of these diseases. Persons 

 affected with tuberculosis, syphilis, severe diarrhoea, 

 suppurating sores on exposed surfaces, or any throat 



