THE SANITARY CONDITION OF MILK 83 



This is due to the presence of essential oils and other 

 noxious compounds which pass directly into the milk 

 without chemical change. Milk of the highest sani- 

 tary value is obtained when the animals are properly 

 fed and the food reasonably conforms to a balanced 

 ration. Abnormal milk will result from feeding one 

 material to excess. Whenever cows are fed on a 

 mixed ration, consisting of two or three grains, 

 coarse fodders not overripe, and a small amount of 

 roots or silage, the quality of the milk from a sani- 

 tary point of view, provided all other conditions are 

 satisfactory, is all that could be desired. 



The purity of the water supply is a very impor- 

 tant factor in the production of sanitary milk. 

 Impure drinking water is often the cause of un- 

 wholesome milk. Surface water collected in stag- 

 nant pools is unsuitable for animals to drink, for 

 although it may not produce a diseased condition 

 of the animals, it will either directly or indirectly 

 affect the quality of the milk. No animal can do 

 its best work in milk production if compelled to 

 drink impure water. 



None but pure water should be used for cleansing 

 milk utensils. Numerous cases of typhoid fever are 

 recorded which were due to milk pails and cans 

 being washed in impure water and the typhus bacilli 

 thus gaining access to the milk. 



76. Colostrum Milk. The milk given by a cow 

 for the first three or four days after calving is quite 

 different in color, taste, and appearance from milk in 



