THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTEICT OF COLUMBIA. 199 



Increases number of bacteria ; lactic acid producing, if milk be fresh, assum- 

 ing that (tuberculosis) typhoid, diphtheria, etc., germs be not present. (Health 

 officer Topeka, Kans.) 



The temperature above 50 are those at which germs multiply very rapidly ; 

 the low temperature does not kill them, but does retard multiplication. When 

 a high temperature is reached, as 140 and above, the heat does destroy them. 

 (Straus Laboratory, Washington, D. C.) 



None. (Sharon Dairy, District of Columbia.) 



Principally in an increase of bacterial count, thus causing souring up to a 

 certain point, which souring in the case of some lactic bacilli may reach a 

 point high enough to retard all growth of pathogenic and putrefactive bacteria, 

 yet in the case of other forms of lactic bacilli, which do not reach a high point 

 of acidity, may cause them to grow to a maximum point so far as the acidity 

 is concerned, at which maximum point they themselves cease to multiply, but 

 both the pathogenic and putrefactive bacilli do multiply. (Borden's Condensed 

 Milk Co., New York, N. Y.) 



The growth of bacteria in milk would seem to be in direct proportion to the 

 increase of temperature, up to at least 100 F. (Walker-Gordon Laboratory, 

 Washington, D. C.) 



It permits the bacteria to mutiply. (Dr. V. C. Vaughan, Ann Arbor, Mich.) 



Souring is increasingly rapid with increase of temperature, and if milk is 

 dirty, undesirable types flourish. It should also be remembered that in old 

 milk, held at low temperatures, putrefactive organisms increase at expense of 

 acid formers. (Dr. S. C. Prescott, Boston, Mass.) 



To the extent that it increases the bacterial count and hastens souring. 

 (Health officer Los Angeles, Cal.) 



Milk being the best medium extant for the growth of germs, and they grow 

 best above 50 ; in fact few grow at that temperature. ( J. M. Houston, White 

 Cross Milk Co., Washington, D. C.) 



Had one epidemic of ptomaine poisoning during hot spell ; 50 cases, no death. 

 (Health officer San Francisco, Cal.) 



The higher the temperature, up to a certain point, the more rapidly all forms 

 of bacteria increase. Hence, milk will keep sweet and contain less deleterious 

 bacteria at 50 than at 60 to 90, during any stated period of time. However, 

 if milk is free from deleterious bacteria, souring would not affect its whole- 

 someness. (Health officer St. Joseph, Mo.) 



Bacteria multiply more rapidly as the temperature of the milk increases. 

 (Health officer Wheeling, W. Va.) 



To the extent that it admits of the multiplication of the bacterial flora, which 

 we believe to be detrimental. (Dr. Samuel McC. Hamill, Philadelphia, Pa.) 



Souring. (Health officer Scranton, Pa.) 



GENERAL. 



QUESTION 1. To what extent in your judgment is milk a factor in diphtheria, 

 typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and tuberculosis infection. 



ANSWERS. 



Some very striking information and charts showing the extent to which milk 

 is a factor in the spread of typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and diphtheria are pre- 

 sented by Dr. John W. Trask in Bulletin 56 of the Hygienic Laboratory, Public 

 Health and Marine-Hospital Service, Treasury Department, beginning at page 

 25. With regard to tuberculosis, Dr. William H. Park of the research labora- 

 tory of the New York City health department examined over 400 cases of 

 tuberculosis in persons of various ages. Among children under 5 years of age, 

 he found that 26 per cent of the cases examined were due to a bovine source as 

 indicated by the bacilli. In children between 5 and 16 years of age, 17 per 

 cent of the cases were due to a bovine source. Above 16 years of age he found 

 very few cases indicating a bovine source. The percentage of all cases indi- 

 cating a bovine source, irrespective of age, was 7.22. (Chief Bureau of Animal 

 Industry.) 



Infected milk is an agency of considerable importance in transmitting typhoid 

 fever and the tuberculosis of childhood, and is also undoubtedly at times an 



