Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-26
How It May Produce Several Dam
gerous Diseases.
DlPHfHERlA, TYPHOID, SCARLErFEV
Insanitary Conditions at Dairy and
farm to Blame.
INSPECTORS ARE NEEDED


The possibility of transmitting disease by
different articles of food is so thoroughly
proven by the results of carefully conduct
ed Investigations and well-observed facts
that it is no longer doubted by sani,arians
generally. This transmission may take
place from infection of articles of food by
the virus of disease or from diseases CT
animals whose flesh is used for food that
are communicable to mankind. The fact
that diseases can be thus transmitted has
not long been established. nor have We as
yet so definite knowledge concerning the
second method, nor SO clear proofs on all
points as could be desired. Still, In pro-
portion to the time that has elapsed since
the enunciation of the belief of such trans
mission as much progress in the way of
demonstration has been made as could be
expected. The subject that is now agitat-
ing the public comes under the first divis-
ion-the transmission of diseases by infec-
tton of articles of food, and especially milk.
1t is not intended to discuss the adul.era-
ton of milk except incidentally, such as in
the case of the transmission of typhoid
lever by adding to the milk water that has
been polluted by drainage from the excre-
tons Of a typhoid fever patient, the dis
eases induced in infants by the impoverish-
mcnt of the milk when water is added and
the cream partially removed. The principal
object of present consideration is the
transmission of infectious CT contagious
diseases like typhoid fever, scarlet fever or
diphtheria. by infected milk
1t is a well-established fact that several
OF the diseases communicable to man have
been produced by the transmission of
trtchinae by pork, and tuberculosis by the
meat and milk OF tuberculous cattle. A
learned authority states that, considering
its liability to be associated as served 10
the public with another familiar fluid, there
is probably no food so apt to transmit dis
ease as milk. There are many possible
means of such infection.
/. The milk may be derived from cow
suffering from pleuro pneumonia, splenic
fever or foot or mouth disease. The dam
ger Is slight, as the milk is entirely ar
rested at an early stage of the diseases, or
SO changed In its appearance as to pre-
. The milk may be obtained from
tuberculous cow.
B. Milk may be drawn from an infiamed
udder. This when mingled with large
quantity of good milk is oftenest sold 1t
may when thus mixed cause indigestion
and diarrhoea. AS 1t contains pus, blood
and broken down tissues, 1t must be I'M
wholesome.
4. The milk may have undergone chemi-
cal or Preventative changes. This is liza
BILE to occur when sour milk and butter
milk are consumed.
5. The milk may have become infected
with the contagium of an animal disease,
such as CHAMBERS or the foot and mouth
disease.
The Greatest Danger.
6. The milk may have become infected
by the cbntagium of human disease, which
is the principal object now being consider
ed. The others. with the exception of the
transmission of diseases of animals COM
municable to mankind, such as tubercu-
losis, are seldom liable to occur, but their
enumeration is essential to a complete pre-
sentation Of the subject, so far as milk
may be the agent for conveying disease.
The knowledge on this subject is of recent
acquisition, and while the fact is generally
known that certain diseases can be thus
conveyed the manner Of transmission is
not so well known. Frequently We hear OF
an outbreak Of typhoid fever from infected
milk, but not SO often as the occurrence Of
outbreaks from polluted water. In point
of fact these are due to polluted water
secondarily, for it is almost invariably the
case where typhoid fever has been cen
veyed by milk that the milk has teen in
fected by the addition OF water, either
innocently or otherwise, that has teen
polluted by the objections CT some typhoid
patient. Where the water is added TO
adulterate the milk, practice by far too
common, the way of infection Is made
clear. The innocent method is the Use Of
such contaminated water to cleanse the
utensils by which the milk Is collected and
distributed. 1t is proper, perhaps. to ad-
NIT the latter method, but the suspicion
water gets into the milk other than by the
cleansing of the pans and pals.
1t seems a pity that an article so valua-
BILE as food, whose restorative powers ere
so needed by the poor and weak, ana py
the victims of tie wasting diseases mat SO
affiict such people, should be SO hard 10
obtain by them who most require the re-
Operative qualities of pure milk:
The milk may be infected by water
which is contaminated by the contagion OF
typhoid fever or other form OF disease, OF
1T may become infected by the absorption
of the contaminated atmosphere emanatlng
from a patient sick with diphtheria IN tne
family Of the farmer or Of his assistants.
The chief danger, however, arises from the
presence of q case Of the disease which is
in the family of the dealer or
of some Of his assistants. The relation OF
general unsanitary conditions to the spread
Of disease is here well illustrated. Were
efficient means used in the disposition OF
filth, and the typhoid detectives properly
disinfected and entirely removed. SO that
neither our soil nor drinking water could
be polluted by them, typhoid fever could
not be transmitted by milk, and were all
cases of diphtheria properly isolated no
danger would remain of the transmission
of that disease by milk. The absorbent
Qualities of milk are well known. Every
knows how readily milk, IL shut
up in a close cupboard with any substance
that has q decided odor, will acquire that
odor, and even acquire the taste of articles
That 1t should absorb an infected atmos
phere does not appear at all strange. The
close proximity of wells to drains, privies
and cesspools has repeatedly been declared
to be a source of danger. The water in
such wells can hardly be expected under
such circumstances to be pure, or even
safe for drinking purposes during many
months in the year. Now, IL the water is
infected by the contagion of typhoid fever,
the readiness with which a pollution of
milk might occur is as evident.
Great Importance Of the Subject.
The subject is Of vast Importance. As
our population increases. large dairy farms
become a necessity, and are now becom-
ing numerous. Many Of them will be found
near populous places. where cases of xy-
motto disease are of frequent occurrence.
One fact is certain; perfect cleanliness is
at the foundation Of safety in securing a
pure milk supply. Pure water is no less q
requisite than good sanitary SURROUNDINGS.
as well as due regard to the laws that con-
troll the diffusion Of diseases that can be
by infected milk The proper care
Of the dairy stock Is also a matter of the
greatest importance Plenty Of pure air,
nutritious and proper food, and pure water
for drinking purposes are essential.
It Is not strange that the question Of gov
ernmental inspection over the milk supply
should be seriously considered. Congress