MALTA FEVER. 87 



Cowpox. This eruptive disorder of the skin of the udder is 

 very common and terminates in ulcers and frequently in ab- 

 scesses. At times it would be a very serious matter to demand 

 the rejection of the milk of all cows showing small areas of 

 infection. The very common practice of using carbolized 

 vaseline on the lesions practically prevents danger of trans- 

 mitting infection from these areas when not on the teats. 

 Regulations on the subject might well allow the use of milk 

 when the udder only is involved and under treatment, and 

 exclude cases showing open abscesses or involvement of the 

 teat. The writer is not familiar with reports of cases where 

 the transmission of this disease through the milk has been 

 proven. The fact that vaccination against smallpox is largely 

 practiced has been noted in connection with the subject. 



Parturition disturbances. There is a general consensus of 

 opinion that the milk of a cow for about a week after calving 

 (colostrum) has an unusual composition and is unwholesome 

 for human consumption. ' The Federal standard sets this period 

 at ten days, and likewise prohibits the use of milk for fifteen 

 days before calving (Chap. X). Besides, during this time 

 the udder is more or less inflamed in consequence of the resump- 

 tion of function. Cases exhibiting retained placenta, metritis, 

 etc., should not be allowed in the milking herd. 



Malta fever. This disease, prevalent on the island of Malta 

 and elsewhere, chiefly in the Mediterranean region, is caused 

 by Micrococcus melitensis. Lately it has been determined by a 

 commission appointed to investigate the disease that it is prim- 

 arily one of goats and is transmitted through the milk. M. 

 melitensis may be found in the milk of apparently healthy goats. 

 The blood serum of such animals gives a positive agglutination 

 reaction with M. melitensis, and that of other goats not contain- 

 ing the germs does not. The test has led to the conclusion 

 that 41% of the goats in Malta are infected. Ten per cent, of 

 them have the germs in the milk. In 1905 a very conclusive 

 demonstration of the relation of goats to the disease was 

 afforded by the shipment of a number of goats from Malta to 

 the United States. The milk was used by the crew of the ship 

 with the result that a number of men contracted Malta fever. 

 The imported animals were slaughtered (2). 



