Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-06
MILK AND CONSUMPTION
Prof Hird Recommends Thorough In
spection at the Dairy Farms
Danger From Cattle Affected by Tu-
berculOsfs - Disease Carried In
Miik-PrOpOsed CO-Operation.

The Commissioners have referred to the
Department Of Agriculture a report recent
ly made by Professor ]. ID. Hird, chemist of
the health office, calling attention to the
importance of securing legislation to pre-
vent the importation into the District of
berculosis and making recommendations
looking to the establishment of a system of
inspection on dairy farms. Professor Hird,
In his report, says that the adulteration of
milk. as usually practiced, consists in the
addition of water or the removal of cream.
or both. The effects Of thus lowering the
largely into the human diet and is SO
greatly depended on in the sick room can
be readily comprehended. Aside from these
facts. milk may be contaminated by the
addition of impure water, and the germs of
disease spread broadcast over the land. 1t
has been proved beyond doubt that the ma
teries morbi of typhoid and scarlet fever
and diphtheria have been conveyed through
this medium, and Professor Hird thinks it
very probable that tuberculosis can be
transmitted in the same way.
Danger at the Dairy Farm.
While this contamination may take place
in the city itself. the dairy farm constitutes
the most dangerous source of contamina-
tion, and no inspection is complete that
does not include rigid inspection Of cattle
and their environments. The milk of cows
fed on garbage or distillery swill, or those
that are sickly from unsuitable food. impure
water. bad housing, care and ventilation,
or those that have recently calved or are
excessively fatigued cannot be regarded
otherwise than with SnsniciOn and is
every reason to believe that milk from such
cows is not only unwholesome, but a men,
ace to the public health. A thorough in
spectIon, therefore, should include an in
vestigation of these questions, together
with an analysis of all water supplied eth
er to the cattle or used in any way about
the cans or dairy.
tuberculosis is responsible for millions of
deaths annually, ana in many cases, Prof.
Hird says, especially in the young, 1t Is
contracted by consumption of milk con-
tanning the germs of the disease.
Tuberculosis In Cattle.
Prof Hird quotes Mr.. Ernest Hart, Dr.
Stick.er of Orange. n. j.; DR.. Shakespeare
and other authorities to show that cpl
denies of typhoid, scarletina, diphtheria
and other diseases have been traced in
many instances to a contaminated milk
supply, and also gives the figures gathered
by experts in this country and elsewhere
to show the prevalence among cattle Of
tuberculosis.
Prof Hird says that until quite recently
old and Inadequate methods were employed
In making examinations for the presence
OF the disease, and that this fact accounts
for the low percentage which is supposed to
marx the prevalence of the disease. With
the discovery of DR.. Koch's tubercuiin as a
diagnostic agent the percentage has largely
increased. This preparation is now cultured
In the Department of Agriculture and Is
Ifaf fnfA hr.a r6-
gard to statements made to the effect that
disease cannot be transmitted in the milk
except in its advanced stages or when the
udder Is affected. Prof. Hird says that it
has been proved that milk was affected in
cases where the udder was healthy, but the
COW tuberculous. When the udder is in the
slightest degree involved, however, all
authorities agree that the milk possesses
INFECTIOUS properties, and is, therefore. dan
gerous. The quality Of the milk is not at
nrst affected, and II may be consumed and
sold for a month without arousing sus-
plcion. Microscopical analysis Is often in
adequate to detect tubercle bacilM in milk,
where tuberculin. when employed, has
clearly demonstrated that the animal was
affected.
consideration of the causes Of the dis
ease does not seem to Prof Hird to he
pertinent to the subject at this time but
that the feed of cattle enters into a com
side-ation Of the question, he says is shown
IN the report of the Department of Agricul-
ture on the special diseases of cattle. which
says: Animals subjected to special feeding.
such as cows In distilleries. breweries and
otner manufactures having waste available
as food. are the most susceptible to the
disease.
The Time for Action.
I'm view Of all these facts" says Prof.
Hfrd. in conclusion, cit seems to me that
the time is ripe for action in the matter
While the health department is doing all
IL can to improve the condition of the milk
at this end of the line, the law fails to pre-
vent the sale of unwholesome milk without
a thorough inspection of the dairy farms
In the one inspection that 1 made a short
time since at the invitation of a producer
two cases were found in which milk could
not be regarded otherwise than with suspi-
cion. 1 am therefore of opinion that in conse-
quence of the great importance of this work
and of the mortality, particularly among
the young, from using impure milk for food
/ should be lacking in fulfllment of my
duty If l did not call your attention to the
necessity of an enlargement OF the scope of
this work and such additional legislation as
will enable this department to exercise a
more thorough inspection and control over
this much abused article of food"
Prof. Hird recommends, first, that the
Secretary of Agriculture be CONSULTED as to
what jurisdiction the health department has
over an inspection of the cows of Maryland
and Virginia, particularly with regard to
tuberculous animals supplying milk to the
District, and as to the advisability of ,ap-
pointing an inspector from that department
to cooperate with the health department
at least temporarily, to obtain data as to
the prevalence of the disease; second, that
some means be devised whereby an inspec-
ton Of the dairy farms may be made, which
shall include not only an investigation of
the cattle and their surroundings, but also
collection of samples of all water used
about the place. This recommendation is
made because otherwise the citizens of the
District cannot be guaranteed against i'm
pure milk.
Grand Army Fair.
Lincoln Post has completed its arrange
ments and will open It's fair this evening