Agricultural Research in New Hampshire 21 



and that it is not possible to determine accurately the ability of the sire to 

 transmit solids-not-fat by the fat test alone. (H. C. Moore and K. S. 

 Morrow) 



Relation of Conformation of Dairy Cows 

 To Milk and Butterfat Production 



Since reporting previously on this project, four cows have been 

 slaughtered and ante mortem and post mortem data tabulated. This 

 brings the total to twenty animals slaughtered at this station. The in- 

 formation on these cows has been forwarded to Washington for inclusion 

 with similar data from other cooperating Stations. 



A study of this sort assumes added practical significance as the in- 

 terest in dairy type classification continues to increase. Four of the dairy 

 breed associations are now giving special attention to type classification 

 as a major activity of breed promotion. There still remains much data to 

 secure before dairymen can have accurate knowledge of the exact relation 

 between the appearance and the performance of a. dairy cow. Anatom- 

 ical variations and differences do exist between animals. A study of the 

 significance of these variations will ultimately be made possible from the 

 data secured from this project and similar ones being carried on at other 

 experimental stations. (Cooperation, Bureau of Dairy Industry) (K. S. 

 Morrow and H. A. Keener) 



Investigations of Bovine Mastitis 



Particular attention was given during the year to the study of staphy- 

 lococci from cases of bovine mastitis and to the treatment of mastitis. 



Staphylococci isolated from the milk of cows showing evidence of 

 staphylococcal mastitis were found to be similar in their various char- 

 acteristics to staphylococci associated with human infections. These or- 

 ganisms may produce both alpha and beta toxins. It was demonstrated 

 that beta toxin is not always inactivated by heating at 100°C. for 30 

 minutes and that this toxin will produce typical food-poisoning reactions 

 in kittens. These results indicate that the substances known as beta toxin 

 and entero-toxin may be one and the same principle; also that staphy- 

 lococci from udders of cows may cause outbreaks of human food poison- 

 ing if given an opportunity to grow in raw milk. 



The drugs used for the treatment of mastitis included gramicidin, 

 novoxil, aerosols, trypan! a vin, and entozon; chief attention was given to 

 the gramicidin and novoxil. Udder injections were generally given while 

 the cows were in lactation. While the results of the treatment studies 

 are not complete, it is evident that the cure of mastitis is a difficult prob- 

 lem. Gramicidin did not prove satisfactory in the concentrations used, 

 and, while the novoxil gave somewhat better results, further study is 

 needed before the efficiency of this drug can be definitely stated. It 

 appears that more favorable reactions can be obtained by treating cows 

 near the end of their lactation or during the dry period. (L. W. Slanetz 

 and A. F. Howe) 



