THE EXAMINATION OP MILK 327 



concrete or cement. Such a floor could be easily laid 

 down in any convenient place -which can be found. The 

 site chosen should be removed from inhabited parts as far 

 as possible, and should be provided with a plentiful water- 

 supply. Only in this way does it seem possible to avoid 

 the initial contamination with the colon bacillus. 



2. That greater care be expended on the personal cleanli- 

 ness of the cows. The only too familiar picture of the 

 animal's hind-quarters, flanks, and side being thickly 

 plastered with mud and faeces is one that should be 

 common no longer. It would not be difficult to carry out 

 this change; indeed, in the better-managed of our large 

 dairy companies' farms such a condition no longer prevails, 



• but in the smaller farms it is but too frequently met with. 



3. That the hands of the milker be thoroughly washed 

 before the operation of milking is commenced, and that 

 after once being washed they be not again employed in 

 handling the cow otherwise than in the necessary operation 

 of milking. Any such handling should be succeeded by 

 another washing in fresh water before again commencing 

 to milk. 



4. That all milk-vendors' shops should be kept far 

 cleaner than is often the case at present. That all milk- 

 retailing shops should be compelled to provide proper 

 storage accommodation, and that the counters, etc., should 

 be tiled. 



To these valuable suggestions we would point out the 

 great necessity which exists for proper and thorough sys- 

 tematic veterinary and bacteriological inspection, whereby 

 any animal suffering from any tubercular or other disease 

 could be at once isolated and, if necessary, destroyed. 



Examination of Milk for the Tubercle Bacillus. — This can 

 be best done by Van Ketel's method, as follows : To 50 c.c. 

 of the suspected milk add 10 c.c. of liquefied colourless 



