Germs from the Cow's Body 363 



1. Manure — particles (numerous). 



2. Fodder — particles (had not passed through the ali- 



mentary canal of the animals). 



3. Molds and other fungi. 



4. Cow hair (numerous). 



5. Particles of the skin. 



6. Human hair. 



7. Parts of insects. 



8. Down from birds, 



9. Small wooden pieces, snavings, and pieces ot fir leaves. 



10. Woolen threads. 



11. Linen threads. 



12. Soil particles (rather frequent) and moss particles. 



13. Fine threads (most likely cobwebs). 



The miscellaneous solid impurities that fall into the 

 milk pail or milk can act as carriers of germs. Every- 

 thing being equal, the greater the amount of dirt in 

 the milk, the greater the numbers of bacteria present, 

 and the less satisfactory the keeping quality of the milk. 

 Sanitary dairies make proper allowance for this fact 

 in that the animals are frequently cleaned, the floors 

 and walls are not permitted to accumulate filth, and the 

 udder of the cow is wiped with a moist cloth or sponge 

 shortly before milking. By these means, the number of 

 germs that may be detached from the cow's body during 

 milking is reduced to a minimum. 



The milker. — The hands and garments of the milker 

 may add materially to the contamination of milk by 

 bacteria. The human skin is naturally inhabited by 

 large numbers of microorganisms. Those on the hands 

 of the milker become detached in the process of milking 

 and fall into the pail. The practice of milking with wet 

 hands intensifies the cpntanjination from this source 



