138 Milk and its Ferments. 



especially in children, if milk from the cow is given them ; 

 and the most interesting fact is that it does not seem to 

 be due to the milk, but more probably to organisms which pass 

 through the cow and find their way eventually into the milk. 

 As I have said, the two great facts brought out are (i) that the 

 milk is absolutely pure and free from germs as it comes from 

 the animal ; and (2) that we have a means, by boiling the milk, 

 of destroying these germs. It is an observation pretty well 

 borne out, that where all the milk in the household is boiled the 

 ordinary infectious diseases are less prevalent. 



Professor Everett. — I have very much pleasure in supporting 

 Dr. Byers motion. It is always interesting to listen to. an 

 original investigator, and Mr. Swan is a gentleman who has 

 made valuable original investigations in connection with 

 microbes. He gave us a most interesting lecture here before on 

 the salmon disease, and now he has laid before us a somewhat 

 similar series of discoveries in connection with the organisms in 

 milk. I remember in the days when I used to read classical 

 authors I came across an account of the Tartars living upon 

 mares' milk, and the account was such as to suggest that they 

 made a fermented liquor from it. We have had some account 

 of that in the "Koumiss" and "Kephir." I was a little startled 

 at Mr. Swan's statement that he hoped we understood from his 

 lecture that these organisms were beneficial. Like Dr. Byers, 

 I don't quite see it myself : and I hope Mr. Swan will make this 

 a little clearer in his reply. Talking about the strength of the 

 Koumiss reminded me of a case I read a week ago in the news- 

 paper where an inspector had summoned a milk dealer for 

 watering milk, but although one would expect that the watering 

 would make it weaker, the inspector had to tell the magistrate 

 that the bottle had exploded, and he had to withdraw the charge. 

 I have nothing more to say, except to ask you to include in the 

 vote of thanks the name of Mr. Andrews, who has kindly mani- 

 pulated the lantern. 



Mr. Conway Scott — I have been greatly pleased this 

 evening with the lecture which Mr. Swan has given us j but I 



