PART III. 



HARMFUL PROPERTIES WHICH MILK 

 MAY POSSESS. 



Under certain conditions, milk may possess harm- 

 ful properties. When the cow is diseased, poisonous 

 substances may occur in the milk, and the composi- 

 tion of the milk may differ widely from normal; in 

 udder infections, milk contains an admixture of patho- 

 genic bacteria, and such contaminations may also occur 

 during or after milking. Milk may also take on injuri- 

 ous properties through the action of saprophytic organ- 

 isms and through accidental or intentional additions of 

 harmful substances, as preservatives. While, in some 

 cases, there is only an altered appearance, taste or odor 

 that serves to make the milk unappetizing and to cause 

 nausea or, perhaps, vomiting, in other cases the milk 

 may be decidedly injurious and cause, under certain 

 conditions, serious illness, even an epidemic. 



I. EXCRETION OF POISONOUS SUBSTANCES 

 WITH MILK 



It has been stated that different foreign materials 

 may be excreted through the udder tissue. This applies 

 principally to mercury, preparations of arsenic, various 

 alkalies, iodine, irritant substances (euphorbium, etc.) 

 and certain volatile oils. Although these substances are 

 not often present in great quantities, yet milk may be 

 flavored by them, and in this case it may be dangerous 

 for small children and weak persons. Since it is safe 

 to affirm that many materials that are not usually 



60 



