Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-07-23

Milk Inspection.

To the Editor of The american:
Probably no class of food is 50 univer-
sally used for food in an uncooked state
as milk, and certainly no food is open to
more chance for adulteration with i'm
purities and disease germs.
The most prominent disease which may
be transmitted through milk is tuber
cuiosis (consumption), an infectious dis
ease caused by a micro organism or mi
hut" vegetable growth, so small as only to
be seen oy the MD of microscope, and
then only after careful staining OF the
germs. But while the cause of this dis
ease is small, the effects are far from be-
ing SO. In 1892, the number of deaths
from tuberculosis in Massachusetts was
5,73a-more than from all other conta-
gious diseases combined. What proper
ton of these cases was attributable to
diseased milk it would be very hard to
say, but any or all might have been.
In Massachusetts more than one-fourth
of the cattle in herds examined by re-
guest are found tuberculosis. In New
York state about seven per cent. are dis
eased. There are no absolutely sure phys
zeal signs which indicate its existence,
but in the tuberculosis test we have Il
cheap, safe and sure means of selecting
diseased cattle from herd.
1t is not necessary to go far to find
case in point. In Belfast last winter a
! child died of tubercular meningitis
which was clearly traced to tuberculous
COW which furnished milk for the family
| Thousands of cases like the above could
| be quoted. Only a short time ago a
gentleman came for me to test cow
which | did, and finding her tuberculous,
had her killed. Upon post mortem she
was found to be fairly rotten with the
disease. People were using the milk
| from this COW up to few days before her
/ death.
| The city OF Ellsworth, 80 far as ! can
| learn. is the only city in Maine which
has not, in accordance with the law of
| 1893. appointed milk inspector, in
/ consequence of which any person can
/ furnish milk-from diseased COWS, from
/ dirty stables, filthy caus or from the
/ pump, without let or hindrance. have
no doubt our diaries and milk men
compare favorably with any in the State,
, but so important and vital question as
/ the public health should not be ignored.
/ l have heretofore said nothing of any
/ disease except tuberculosis, because few
/ cnses occurring lately nave aroused some
comment from people no are alive to the
/ interest OF the community. Nevert less
| ii is well eSta blished now that infect ion
by milk may occur in the following
diseases: Typhoid fever, scarlatina,
/ diphtheria, cholera, foot and mouth
disease, acute enteritis and anthrax.
j Medical literature furnishes us with
/ reliable evidence of an immense amount
! of sickness and death caused by milk.
Knowing the dangers of using milk
/ without proper guarantee of its purity,
! what should be done? | offer a few sug
/ gestions:
First. a milk inspector should be
! appointed whose duties should be to
examine all milk offered for sale.
Second No milk should be sold from
/ dairies where the cows are not regularly
/ inspected
| Third. All cows should be subjected 10
( the tubercular test.
Fourth. All people connected with the
milk supply should be compelled to
abstain from such work If they or any
member of their families are suffering
from any contagious disease.
W. l.. WEST, NJ. 0. c. V. s.