The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-12-14
FARMERS COLUMN.
DEATH IN THE MILK PAIL.
From the Rural New Yorker.

From the Rural New Yorker.
During our recent visit to Tompkins
Co., N. Y, L. 3. Arnold gave US a few
brief notes concerning some iDvestIga-
tions lately made by Professor Law OF
Cornell University. One day the Pro,
lessor observed peculiarly in the cream
from the milk furnished by the milk
man. 1t appeared to be ropy, ana on
subiecting it to an examination under a
powerful microscope it was found TO con
tain large number of living organisms
In different stages of growth. Pushlng
his investigation further, the Professor
called upon the milk man TO inquire
concerning the management and Keep OF
his COWS and the manner N 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
slack their thirst in stagnant pool loca
ted in a muddy swale. Taking speci
mems of this water and examining it I'm
der the microscope, the same class of or
ganisms was found as those in the milk
It 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 fer determining health or disease,
were found to be hot and feverish, thus
showing that these living organisms in.
troduced through the medium of the fl
thy watersand taken into the circulation,
and by their power of reproduction and
multiplication in the blood became the
source of disease. Investigating still
further, particle of the filthy water was
introduced into milk free from such or
ganisms, and known from tests to be in
good order, and in short time the same
filthy organism, multiplied and
took possession of it in vast numbers,
producing the same character of milk
IS that first noticed. Other experiments
and Investigations were made, but all
similar in results to those we have de-
scribed.
These facts are of very great impor
lance 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 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 takenup by cows IN their drink, but
pass into the circulation, tainting the
blood, entering the secretions and estab-
fishing their filthy abode in the milk,
there to increase and multiply in vast
numbers, causing the milk to be mass of
filth then it is reasonable to suppose
that persons partaking Of this milk, even
when freshly drawn, are liable to have
their blood also inoculated, and therby
contract disease.
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 character sufficiently start,
ling, 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 at
least pre- requisite for the cow to yield
good, healthy milk, and that there is
more danger in allowing stock to slack
thirst in foul, stagnant pools, than has
commonly been supposed,