The New York herald., 1879-02-09
POISON IN THE MILK CAN.
Startling Reports on the Sanitary Condition Of the
BlnsVls,, l. !. Dairy Stables
WHAT THE HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAY.
Eight Hundred Cows Living in Fever
Laden Atmosphere.
"a DISGRACE TO ANY CIVILIZED COMMUNITY" I"

Sanitary Superintendent Raymond N. d.. Of the
Brooklyn Board of Health. yesterday submitted the
following startling report to the Board. setting
forth the terrible condition OF the stables visited
and inspected by him and one of the consulting
veterinary surgeons Of the Health Department. at
Blissvlle. l.. L. on Thursday last:-
AN ALARMING REPORT.
BROOKLYN. Feb. T. 1879.
II. A. LAPErRA, Secretary
SIR-In company with Dr., Alfred Large, consult
ing veterinary surgeon, ] visited. the 5th inst
the stables connected with the distillery Of
Messrs Gaf. Fleisohmann Co.. at Bhssville,
Queens county. The examination which Consulting
Veterinary Surgeon Mclean made the 25th OF
January and the result OF which was briefly reported
by to the hoard of Health on the 18th of tile
same month. incomplete as he was re-
quested the stables before he had examined
was made with the object of giving more time to the
inspection Of the animals than Mr.. Mclean was
allowed to give and TO ascertain If disease preva
lent ~ he inferred from his brief visit. Although
these stables entirely beyond Jurisdiction,
yet their proximity to our city makes it very inn
portant that should be cogniZant of their condi
tion lest unwholesome milk aud diseased meat from
them should be sold within our city limits.
The number of cows said to be there at the time
OF our visit was about eight hundred We found
them in wooden stables in stalls varying in width
head with ropes of sufficient length to permit them
to lie down. The stables were in rows of fifteen,
W.T. with Just enough room between & the heads ,s OF
them wider space. in which fell
all the excrement and urine. and from which it
removed by brooms In front OF each row was
trough containing distilery swill at temperature
of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These troughs are con-
nected with large tanks and are so contrved that by
pulling slide the swill can be admitted to
them. The ventilation and lighting of the stables
are provided by the doors. When these are
closed as they were in some parts of the table, the
interior is dark. The moment entered the stables
We heard the cows coughing. and during our entire
stay there was hardly moment when cough was
swili being to stimulate the Kidneys and
to render the faces very SOFT indeed almost liquid.
1t was impossible in walking between the to
cape being spattered from head to foot with this
filth 1t is not possible. in my opinion, for these
cows to be MIXED without some OF their excrement
finding its way into the milk. while the continual
mosphere of the stable with excrement to such
degree as to affect the milk injuriously.
even though It were from perfectly healthy animals
from the COW. At the time Of visit thsre were
In the stable Q number Of milk cans without any
distinguishing marks upon them; some were empty
and some contained dirty water, but all uncovered
and exposed to the influence of this poisonous atmos
phere. So that pure milk put into them it
would undoubtedly be contaminated.
MILK FROM
We asked to be shown the sick cows and were i'm
mediately told that there not single sick in
the stable. We commenced our examination in the
second row. selecting animal that seemed to he
temperature of . COW in health should be 90 to 100
deg. Fahrenheit. The temperature of this animal
l02 rs degrees Fahrenheit showing the presence
of fever. DR.. Large examined the COW and found all
the signs of pleuro the left lung solid
fed and the rumbng sound characteristic OF peursy
daily yield Of this COW, and this mix from ~s' sick
cow exposed to the further cpntaminating influence
Of an excrement, soaked air. and doubtless put
hours and in the same air, finds its
way into the common stock and is dstrib-
deed, of the in the stable was labelled,
'.Orange Farm" DIR. Large continued this examina-
dom. and will be seen by his report here
with submitted. not finding healthy one.
The lowest temperature he found was 100
degrees Farenheit; another one had temperature of
10l As degrees Farenhet. With these exceptions all
that were examined showed temperature Of 10a
degrees Fahrenheit Our attention called
about to be sent to the butcher The temperature of
this animal was 1O2 degees Fahrenheit. Speci-
mems of milk from four cows taken
for analysis, one OF the animals being con-
sidered as better than the rest. These animals
til. giving no more milk and being 'fattened. they
driven to the slaughter house, contributing dur
ing life to the propagation Of disease through their
milk robbing tine infant of its sole chance for life.
and after death furnishing diseased beef to the adult
who depends upon his strength and health tor the
support of himself and family The influences
which this milk and this meat have exercised in the
past and are now exercising on the surrounding
communities can never be known. Nothing should
traffic. ut and forever. Milk from ant
mails that spend most OF their lives in stables
Is bad enough, but add to this continuous life
space three feet by feet leaving it even
. moment. taking no exercise breathing over and
over a hlthsoddened atmosphere. until their lungs
become diseased and their bodies heated by
Ing fever-coud any device of man hend be
trived which would sooner eflectually de-
populate q community?
fwould most earnestly recommend that an appeal
be made to His Excellency the Governor and to the
Legislature OF this State to take such measures as
victims thousands OF children every year and which
II disgrace to any civilized community. Respect
fully, ]. II. RAYMOND, M D..
Sanitary Superintendent
In conjunction with the Sanitary superintendent 8
report which placed on nle. Veterinary Surgeon
Large also handed in report of which the subjoined
,is = COPY
WHAT VETERINARY SURGEON SAYS.
BROOKLYN Feb. 7, 1879.
DEAR snR:-From the examination made on the
without, M far / could discover. and to
general appearances healthy, but from the
heit or degrees and a fraction above the nor
mall showing them to bo diseased. doubt
IN 'n1,e she 'ss ssabasa n my feisehann M on
physical examination OF the chests of different
animals found LESSONS. of different lung stages. of
plouro pneumonia OF mild form, viz Of respiratory
Inurmur, with marked dulness percussion,
showing solidification of the part; others
with the above symptoms. TO which was added the
alrea y affected with the disease. rs shown by posi-
tive symptoms. Others have, no doubt. the seeds of
IL In their systems, ncubatng IL. and. may
add are In the best possible condition from their
want OF hygienic surroundings to speedily de-
velop It,"
UNFIT ron HUMAN FOOD.
The stables foul, badly ventilated and badly
lighted, except when the doors are opened and
draught. consequently. created Animals placed
es they are become untitled Tor human
food, and their products. as milk, Sc.,
can but be detrimental 20 health IL used.
With regard TO the condition Of these cattle affect
ing the expectation Of stock from this country have
to say the principal danger from the disease Is TO
the people In our vicinity from diseased milk and
meat There IL little or no danger to foreign coun-
tries as cattle from distillery stables are
not bought Tor exportation the breed usually not
bcing good enough for stock purposes. and cheaper
cattle could be bought. aud chose in much better
condition to stand sea voyage" than the slim
uated and bloated cattle Of dstillery stables The
shrinkage would be too great and the losses also.
There need DO apprehcnded no dangers abroad from
such sources. Very respectfully
ALFRED LARGE, M. d.