689 
Hird, chemist of the health department, in his report for the year 
ending June 30, 1893. Professor Hird said : 
While the effect of lowering the nutritive value of the milk, either by the 
addition of water or the removal of cream, can be readily comprehended, yet 
this becomes of secondary importance when we compare this with milk that 
contains the germs of typhoid nl3 d scarlet fever, diphtheria, and tuberculosis in 
its various forms. Some of these germs grow rapidly in milk without produ- 
cing any visible effect. The germs of typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and diphtheria 
may thus grow and be consumed with the milk without our knowledge. The 
tests ordinarily applied fail to detect the specific germs of these diseases. 
* * * 
Some of the common putrefactive bacteria give rise to poisons while growing 
in this fluid. * * * Gleanliness and care, therefore, become of the most 
vital importance in the handling of the milk and cans in which the milk is con- 
veyed, while clean stables, pure air and water are as necessary to the animal 
as to the human being. 
The then health officer, Dr. C. M. Hammett, in commenting upon 
the prevalence of typhoid fever at that time, stated that in some cases 
the disease had prevailed in families who used water from the same 
well, and in others where families received their milk from the same ' 
cows, and recommended the close and frequent inspection not only of 
milk and the dairy establishments which supply it, but also of the 
cattle composing the herd. This subject, said Doctor Hammett, is now' 
receiving the earnest attention of the health department^ with a view 
to the making of an intelligent and effective recommendation to the 
Commissioners and to Congress.® 
About July, 1893, Dr. E. C. Schroeder, of the Bureau of Animal 
Industry, began an investigation into the milk supply of the District 
of Columbia. Between July 12, of that year, and April 19, 1894, 18 
samples of milk were collected, as delivered to private residences or 
as bought in the stores of this city, and 1 was obtained from a herd 
in Virginia. Specimens from these 19 samples were injected into the 
peritoneal cavities of 40 guinea pigs, and in 1 case tuberculosis re- 
sulted. * & The investigation made by Doctor Schroeder included the 
examination of many dairy cows supplying milk to this city, and out 
of over 800 examined between 5 and 6 per cent had defective udders.® 
Referring to the investigation then being- made, and particularly to 
the application of the tuberculin test, the Chief of the Bureau of 
Animal Industry wrote, apparently in the fall of 1894, as follows : 
The testing of cows with tuberculin in the District of Columbia is now in 
progress, but has been commenced in a small way in order to develop a satis- 
factory plan of operations. About 125 cows have been tested, and 20 per cent of 
these were found to be affected. 
« Report of the Health-Officer, 1893, pp. 9 to 12. 
& Bureau of Animal Industry, Bulletin No-. 7, published in 1894, pp. 77 to 81. 
c Bureau of Animal Industry, Bulletin No. 7, published in 1894, p. 87. 
24907— Bull. 41—08 44 
