MANUAL OF MILK PRODUCTS 



CHAPTER I 



MILK SECRETION 



Milk is the secretion of the mammary gland and is produced 

 by the females of all species of mammals as food for their young. 

 To the unaided eye milk appears as a yellowish white, some- 

 what viscous, opaque fluid, with homogeneous structure. In 

 reality milk consists of a number of substances, some of which 

 are in true solution while others are simply held in suspension. 

 Cow's milk is nearly neutral in reaction and has a pleasant, 

 sweetish taste. 



THE PURPOSE OF MILK SECRETION (Bitting) 



In reproduction among the higher animals, the offspring at 

 birth are not sufficiently matured to be able to subsist alone ; 

 neither are they surrounded by food that is already prepared for 

 them. It is therefore necessary that nature should provide for 

 a part or whole dependence upon the mother for subsistence 

 during such time as is required for development to a state 

 capable of independent existence. As a means to this end, we 

 find a mammary gland in a very large group of animals, the 

 secretion of which is known as milk, and is a perfect food. 

 Milk contains all the nutriment required by a growing body, 

 in proper proportions, in a palatable and easily digestible form. 



B 1 



