96 
E. B. ACKERMAN. 
and since that time statistics show over one hundred epidemics 
of typhoid fever with 6700 cases ; 41 epidemics of scarlet fever 
with 2400 cases, and 18 epidemics of diphtheria with 1000 
cases, to say nothing of other diseases when no record or data 
have been kept or no mention made as to the number of tuber¬ 
cular cases established by milk. 
The question of a pure milk supply is possibly of no less in¬ 
terest to the medical profession than to the veterinarian, and 
both should work hand in hand for the mutual benefit of the 
people. While it seems to me that our sister profession are 
sometimes lax in their duties as to the health of their patients 
in not being as particular about the source of milk supply, or 
the proper care of milk after delivery, the veterinarian on the 
other hand is interested chiefly because some of the diseases 
which render meat and milk unfit for human consumption are 
indigenous to his class of patients, namely, the cow, and the 
animal industry represents considerable of the wealth of this 
country, and the care and management of this wealth largely 
fall upon the shoulders of the veterinarian. To take the disease 
tuberculosis, as an example. I might say that the first prophy¬ 
lactic treatment begins with the veterinarian in stamping out 
the disease where it starts, that is, in the cow. 
Now, to get back to milk and to make a valuable food still 
more desirable, I would say that the proper place to begin is 
with the animal that produces it; thus begin with the dairy 
cow. Under this head we would have the following subdi¬ 
visions, viz. : 
First. The condition of the stable as to ventilation, drain¬ 
age, mode of feeding and watering. 
Second. Health of cows. This would include all diseases 
as well as the tuberculin test for tuberculosis. 
Third. The feed. This includes quantity, character, water 
supply, etc. 
Fourth. Care of cows. Especially before milking. 
Fifth. Care of utensils. 
Sixth. Health and cleanliness of attendants. 
