Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1871-12-23
Gbe 4atrp.
DEATH IN THE MILK Pail.

During our recent visit to Tompkins Co.,
n. Y, Mr.. l.. b. Arnold gave us n few brief
notes concerning some investigations lately
made by Professor Law of Cornell Universe
ty. One day the Professor observed II pecu-
liarity in the cream from the milk furnished
by the milkman. 1t appeared to be ropy,
and on subjecting it TO III examination UNI
der II powerful microscope 1t was found to
contain II large number of living organisms
in different stages of growth. Pushing his
investigations further, the Professor called
upon the milkman to inquire concerning the
management and keep of his cows and the
manner in which the milk was cared for.
Here he found on looking over the premises
that the cows, for lack of good, clean water
the season being unusually dry-were
forced to Stake their thirst in Il stagnant pool
located in II muddy swale. Taking speci-
mems of this water and examining it under
the microscope, the same class of organisms
was found rs those in the milk. 1t was now
pretty evident where the cause of the trouble
lay; but to make the matter more clear,
specimens of blood were taken from the COWS
and examined under the microscope, when
these also were found to contain the same
class of organisms.
The animals, on applying thermometer
tests for determining health or disease, were
found to be hot and feverish, thus showing
that these living organisms introduced
through the medium Of the filthy water and
taken into the circulation, and by their pow
err of reproduction and multiplication in the
blood became the source Of disease. Inves-
tigating still further. a particle of the filthy
water was introduced into milk free from
such organisms, and known from tests to be
in good order, and in II short time the same
filthy organisms multiplied and took posses
sion of it in vast numbers, producing the
same character of milk as that first noticed.
Other experiments and investigations were
made, but all similar in results to those we
have described.
These facts are of very great Importance
to dairymen; and although it was known
that the milk from cows drinking the putrid
or foul water of sloughs and mud holes had
caused much trouble at cheese factories.
still, dairymen hardly appreciated the full
extent of the trouble, or were aware of the
precise nature of the injury caused by such
water. If the lives of these foul organisms
are not destroyed when taken up by COWS in
their drink, but pass into the circulation.
tainting the blood, entering the secretions
and establishing their filthy abode in the
milk, there to increase and multiply in vast
numbers, causing the milk to be II mass of
filth then it is reasonable to suppose that
persons ~partaking of this milk, even when
freshly drawn, are liable to h nave their blood
also inoculated, and thereby contract dis
ease.
Who can say that malignant fevers and
fatal epidemics do not often originate from
these sources; The facts brought out in these
Investigations would seem to warrant the
supposition. At any rate they are of Il char
acter sufficiently startling, and should arrest
attention of those who have the care of milk
stock, and who are in the habit of using
milk freely. They prove that good, clean
water is ut least II prerequisite for the COW
to yield good, healthy milk, and that there
is more danger in allowing stock to slake
thirst in foul, Stagnant pools. than has COM