154 MANUAL OF MILK PRODUCTS 



should be given to the udder in order to detect the occurrence 

 of any form of inflammation or abnormal condition of the milk. 



The external condition of the cow is a most important factor 

 in the production of clean milk. One of the greatest sources 

 of milk contamination is the dirt on the outside of the ani- 

 mal's body. It is therefore essential that extra care be given 

 to keeping the cow free from accumulations of mud and manure. 



Cows on pasture usually keep cleaner than when in the barn, 

 but though they appear clean they may be very dusty and 

 should be brushed before each milking period. When kept in 

 stables they require a thorough cleaning at least once every 

 day. It is well to clip the long hairs from the udder, flanks, 

 and tail, in order that dirt may not cling to them. It is de- 

 sirable that the bedding be clean, dry, and used in sufficient 

 quantities to promote the comfort of the animal, especially 

 where the floor is of concrete. 



The cow should not be groomed, bedded, or fed immediately 

 before milking, as these operations fill the stable air with dust 

 and bacteria. Frequent attention to the distribution of bed- 

 ding is just as important as to supply a large amount of it. 

 Often a tour through the stables the last thing at night and a 

 few minutes' attention to the distribution of the bedding at 

 that time will save half an hour's work of cleaning the cows in 

 the morning. If the manure is daily removed a considerable 

 distance from the stable, bad odors from it will be kept from 

 tainting the milk, and it will diminish the danger of contam- 

 ination from filth-laden flies. The fly nuisance is caused by 

 accumulations of manure in which the flies breed, and if con- 

 ditions are favorable for daily removal of manure to the fields, 

 this should be done. Flies carry bacteria and filth, and earnest 

 efforts should be made to keep the stable free from them. If 

 the stable and its surroundings are clean, free from accumu- 

 lations of manure and other materials which attract flies, the 

 stable can be kept fairly free of them by the use of fly poison 



