The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-01-31

and contains stellate crystals, ana minute
spherical bodies, monads, which move
with activity in the fluid. 10 the limpid
fluid of the vescles there are indicated
cells and masses Of living germinal matter
besides monads. bacteria and vibrions.-
Similar bodies are found in the fluid dis
charged from the eye.
EFFECT ON THE MILK.
Specimens of milk obtained from cows
in various stages of disease, have been
submitted to microscopic inspection re-
petedly, for the purpose Of ascertaining,
if possible, whether or not any change
occurs in the constitution of the fluid
likely to be injurious to the health Of those
who partake of it. Nearly all the speci-
mems of milk which were tested had a
low specific gravity, 1024) and general
y fair proportion of cream was thrown
up. There were invariably found large
granular cells, or white corpuscles, having
the general characters Of the pus globule.
The milk from one COW was examined
from the commencement to the termina-
ton of the disease, and for three weeks
after recovery aud it was observed that
the pus.like bodies remained during the
whole time. At the worst period of the
affection, the bodies were numerous, and
as the disease declined, they become few
er in number but some were seen on the
last examination, three weeks after re-
covery. Monads and bacteria were among
the cells detected in every specimen, and
these bodies remained unaffected, either
in their form or rapidity Of movement, by
boiling The specific gravity Of the milk
was found to raise slightly during con-
valescence, from 1924 to 1927 the last
number being within three or four de-
grees of the normal standard. In two
instances the specific gravity of the milk
was respectively 1882 and 1924, the
quantity in each case being reduced to
one-fifth of the ordinary yield.
Milk taken in the ewing from diseased
animals, gave evidence of the commence
ment of decomposition on the following
morning. This was, in some measure, due
to the high temperature which prevailed
during the time these observations were
made. When boiled, the milk remained
good for twenty-four hours, under the
same circumstances and at the same
time.
EFFECT OF DISEASED MILK ON ANIMALS.
What influence the numerous pus-like
globules and granular cells, with the liv-
ing organisms in the form of monads and
bacteria, may exercise upon the health Of
the human subject it is impossible, in
the absence of direct experiments to de-
termine. But the evidence in respect Of
its effects upon the young Of the lower
animals is very conclusive. Some years
ago, Professor Simonds lost three valua-
Bile calves in one day in consequence of
allowing them to suck cow which was
suffering from the disease in the early
stage. He also produced eczema in pigs
by giving them the milk Immediately af-
ter it was drawn from diseased cow
Continental observers also allude to in
stances of the poisonous action ofthe milk
on young animals.
Since the above observation was made,
other causes Of sudden death Of calves
from sucking the milk of diseased COWS.
have been recorded. Within the last
few weeks, calves, which were apparently
we'll when left at night, have been found
dead in the morning from this cause ; and
there is too much reason to apprehend
that to the young Of the mammalia in
general, the milk from cows affected with
mouth and foot disease is highly deleter-
ious.
Probably the most recent experiment
with milk from diseased COW was made
in my own house. During the early per.
iod of the prevalence of the disease, when
milk was daily sent to me for examina-
ton, l gave to young cat liberal sup
ply of that which was left from my ex-
periments. The animal shortly became
very week and ill, and, after the first few
days, declined to accept the diseased milk
although no other kind was supplied in
its place Indeed, at the time, the milk
on my own table contained an abundant
quantity of the morbid elements.
Among the specimens sent for cxami
nation were some taken from animals
which suffered from the effects of the dis
ease in one or more quarters Of the udder
These examples contained little less thar
pus.corpucles and emulation cells, with
monads and bacteria the milk globulel
were few and far between. This abnor
NAL condition of the secretions may be ,
: subject full of interest for the pathologist
but it is sickening to know that such NOR
bid matter is used to swell the genera
bulk of the morning and evening quau
tum of milk which is supplied to the pop
ulation, who, if any suspicion is aroused
are quite treasured by the dairyman'
entirely romantic statement, that "whel
COWS have the disease all the milk drie
up"
FLESH OF DISEASED ANIMALS HARMLESS.
! Meat from diseased animals has ais
been carefully examined, and the result
of the investigation are altogether salts
factory. No morbid products have bee
detected, and excepting the presence Q
, some of the parasitic bodies,-psor
sperm,-which were found abundantly i
. the flesh of animals dead of cattle plagu
, and other malignant diseases, nothing @
an abnormal kind has been observed |
q may, therefore, be safely assumed tina
: the meat of animals affected with mout
f and foot disease is harmless the NOR
a so that it always, unlike milk, undergoe
j some culinary process, before being cor
l sumed.
: COMMUNICATION OF THE DISEASE.
J. From experiments, which will herea
g ter be referred to, it appears that th
r contagion is in most active form in tn
!. saliva, and it is remarkable that tn
e fluid contains the fewest morbid product
e Nevertheless its contact with the interit