The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-01
DIPHTHERTi ~ MTLK.

We believe IL IL nm established fnct TINT
milk il Frequently nm ngcat for the diffusion Of
disenso. Endemic outbreaks OF typhoid or
ontcric fever have more than once been traced
to common supply Of infected milk. In lhese
casns. however. the injurious character Of tho
mill, has bccn attributed to it' contamination
from oNtcrnul sources. az hy means of impure
air or impure water. continuing tho germs of
the dscasc. But mere startling theory con-
corning the epidemic agency OI milk has ro-
GENTLY boon put forward In England, aud
demands attention from oar snnitnry authori-
ties in this country. in view of the present prev
alcnco Of diphthcrin In so many localities.
II is possible. not Ia cay probable. that diph-
iberia has its origin in tito diseased condition
of mitch cows. Such at least IL tho inference
which must bo drawn fcom tho carefully OBJ
served facts of two cpidemics in England, both
of recent recurrence one in North London and
tho othor at Working. Thoy Indicate TINT dis
case Of tho uddcr known M aargct. and gencr-
ally regarded by dairymcn ~ insignificant. may
~ affect the quality VI the milk w to produce
dphtheria In tho consumers.
Inquiry lonvcs no doubt TINT milk from COWS
having gnrget finds its way into the market in
considerable quantities. Only n portion Of tho
uddcr is usually attacked by the discnsc. and
tho milk yielded by tho other qun rtors does not
manifest any such change in quality as would
ordinarily lead TO its rnIrctiOn. Indeed. so in
differently is tho affection looked upon by mon
having tho charge Of COWS that they seldom
inform their employers of its existence. A
mombcr Of tho Pathological Society Of London,
who WIS led to investigate the subject lately
found several cases Of gnrRet among his own
cattle, although his ballin had not thought them
important enough to mention.
The circumstances Of the North London cpl
dcmic Of dphthcria satisfied the sanitary ofl-
Ger charged with its investigation that the dis
case was distributed by tho milk supply. aud
that the milk had not boon contaminated by any
influences from without These conclusions are
confirmed Ivy tho like opinions Of distinguished
physicians to whom the facts have boon sub
mittcd. They naturally lead TO the question
whether any special disease could prevail. with
out attracting particular notice. among the
cows from which tho milk cane. The answer
is that gargct il Just such disease. And the
belief that this apparently slight affection in
cattle may be transformed into dphtheria. or
may induce that disease In the human subject.
is strengthened by the recent diphthcritic out
break at the Princess Mary's Home at Working.
Gargct was found to be prevalent on the farm
which furnished milk to that institution.
The proceedings Of the Pathological Society
OF London in reference to this possible conncc-
ton between dplr'heria and disease in COWS
supply abundant evidence OF the gravity with
which tho medical profession regard the sub
ject. II has been referred for investigation TO
committee Of highly qualified physicians. one
Of whom is DR.. Burden Sanderson and the re-
suits Of their inquiry cannot fail to be impor-
tant. In the mean time. ought not something
in the same direction to DO done in this
country