504 
Some investigators hold that the disease is of micro-organismal origin, 
some that it is due to autointoxication, while others think it is caused 
by vegetable or mineral poisons. All seem, however, to agree that 
the disease is limited to low, swampy, uncultivated land, and that 
the area of the. places where it occurs is often restricted to one or a 
few acres. Furthermore, when such land or pastures have been 
cultivated and drained the disease disappears completely. 
From the above facts it seems evident that milk sickness is an 
infectious disease communicable to man, and the cattle owners 
should -therefore not be permitted to make use of the meat or milk 
of affected animals for human consumption.® 
SEPTIC OR FEBRILE CONDITIONS. 
The presence in the dairy of cows afflicted with such septic condi- 
tions as puerperal sepsis, septic metritis, diffuse phlegmon, suppurative 
wounds, and extensive ulcerations constitutes a grave danger to the 
milk supply, inasmuch as the milk may become ipfected with the 
pus-producing organisms, among which the streptococci are capable 
of causing enteritis in man. The milk of cows suffering from febrile 
conditions, especially when associated with sepsis, should also be 
excluded. In the case of small single wounds which cease to sup- 
purate, the milk may be used without danger, providing the teats 
and udder are well cleaned before each milking. 
ABNORMAL APPEARANCE AND CONDITIONS OF MILK. 
The udder acts as a natural emunctory, like the kidney, and in 
consequence of its natural selective powers certain active principles 
contained in various foods, drugs, and poisons are eliminated thereby. 
SLIMY, STRINGY, OR ROPY MILK. 
These conditions of the milk are not an uncommon occurrence and 
sometimes are produced by a diseased condition of the udder of the 
cow, although in the majority of cases these abnormal appearances 
of milk are caused by various kinds of bacteria infecting the milk 
after it has left the udder. While this altered milk may be perfectly 
wholesome, it is nevertheless unpalatable, and most consumers in 
this country would rather do without than drink such material. 
a For further discussion of this subject see Article No. 6, this Bulletin, by Dr. 
G. W. McCoy. 
