CHAPTER XI 

 CARE OF MILK AND CEEAM 



Pure milk germ free. Milk, as it is secreted 

 in the cells of the udder, is germ free. If it were 

 possible to get the milk in this condition into 

 germ-free receptacles, and if it could then be kept 

 free from contamination, it would keep indefi- 

 nitely. But this is impossible. A few germs 

 always work their way up into the cavities of 

 the cistern above the teat, and, owing to the 

 favorable conditions existing there, multiply enor- 

 mously. If this first milk, or foremilk, as it is 

 called, is milked into the bucket, the practice 

 of a good many milkers, we can see at once that 

 contamination is introduced at the very begin- 

 ning of the milking process. It is advisable to 

 draw this foremilk on the ground; there is really 

 very little loss, as it is not very rich in fat. 



Some sanitary precautions. The problem of 

 the dairyman is to keep the milk from being 

 contaminated either by dirt entering into it or 

 by its absorbing undesirable odors. It should be 

 unnecessary to state that the stables should be 

 clean, dry and well- ventilated ; the health of the 



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