168 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MILK HYGIENE 
the udder, while the skin covering the teats remains soft 
and pliable and there is an entire absence of cracks and 
sores, even in winter. 
It is sometimes stated that dampening or washing the 
udder irritates the skin, causing it to swell and crack, and 
that it decreases the milk flow, but this is not entirely 
correct. The udder will suffer no injury whatever unless 
too much water is used and the organ is exposed to cold 
air in a wet condition. There may be a decrease in the 
milk secretion when a cow is subjected to the process 
for the first time, but the milk flow returns to normal in 
a few days and very frequently it is increased. The mas- 
sage which accompanies the brushing and the wiping or 
washing favors the flow of blood to the udder and usually 
increases the secretion of milk. Udders which are kept 
clean are affected with disease less frequently than dirty 
udders. 
As a general rule, cows will produce more milk when 
kept clean and comfortable than when they are kept 
otherwise. Therefore cleaning the cows not only assists 
in keeping dirt and bacteria out of the milk but usually 
also increases the milk production. After the cows have 
been cleaned they should be fastened so that they cannot 
lie down before they are milked. 
3. Methods of Milking.—The condition of the milker 
as regards health and cleanliness should receive the atten- 
tion of the inspector. No one should be permitted to 
milk cows or handle milk in any way who is affected with 
any infectious disease, especially typhoid fever, diph- 
theria, and scarlet fever, or who has been in contact with 
persons affected with any of these diseases. Persons 
affected with tuberculosis, syphilis, severe diarrhoea, 
suppurating sores on exposed surfaces, or any throat 
