The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-06-14
STAMP out
DISEASE
Cooperation and legls-
iation Needed.
THE GERMS IN MILK
Oeleterious Effects From Use
Of Meat and MIX Of Dis
eased cows--Opinion
Of o.. Probst.

From Staff Correspondent.
Columbus. June 11.-Dr. c. B. Probst,
secretary of the state board Of health.
believes It Is within the range of pos.
sibility to stamp out tuberculosis in
cattle. With proper legislation and
full cooperation in the enforcement Of
laws looking to the eradication Of the
disease, he asserts, the desired result
can be attained. He has given the
question thorough attention and is con-
versant to high degree with the dele.
terious effects resultant from thte con-
sumption of meat and milk from dis
eased cows. He said that 1t is an es-
tablished fact that tuberculosis germs
are transmitted to persons through
milk taken from infected cows. The
germ is very feeble and is easily de-
stroyed. It will not thrive under strong
sunlight. Bracing air is also non-con-
ducive to its growth. Milk heated at
certain temperature can he rendered
free from microbes. Infected meat
which is well cooked can also be made
fit for use. The germs in meat done
rare are not destroyed. 1t cannot be
told accurately how far-reaching on the
human race the i'll effects of diseased
cattle extend. Suffice to say it is very
harmful and is responsible for many
deaths. The germs attack children
more readily than adults, as there Is
tckn tv, khn
cases of tuberculosis of the stomach
in children originate from the use of
milk from q diseased COW. The stom-
ach is the first place attacked and from
there spreads to the lungs and con-
tiguous organs. Milk Is q vehicle admi-
rably fitted for conveying to man many
Of the disease-producing micro-Organ.
isms. Some of these. when introduced
in milk. simply live without increasing
in number; others multiply. The COM
monest form of adulteration in milk Is
water. This would be bad enough IL
the water were pure, but frequently it
Is badly polluted. Milk can become
contaminated by merely washing milk
cans in polluted water. The degree of
prevalence Of tuberculosis among cat
tie is variously estimated from
TEN TO TWENTY PER CENT.
This is probably not too high for
milch cows. In Ohio probably from 10
to Is per cent of the cattle are affected
This Is a condition demanding drastic
remedial measures. tuberculosis In
man Is essentially the same as that in
cattle and can be communicated by
either to the other. It has been posi-
lively shown that milk from tuberculo-
sis cows with healthy udders may con-
tain tubercIe bacilli. When the udder
Ia involved the infection of the milk
is more pronounced and more danger
GUS. There should be universal super
vision OF milk. and this by the health
authorities. Such examination Is fair.
ly we'll provided for in large cities.
The state should provide for examina-
ton Of samples from smaller towns
where the facilities for such tests are
meagre. The only practicable way of
detecting milk containing tuberculosis
germs is by the effect 1t has upon the
users of it. OF course the tuberculin
tests in ninety-nine cases out Of hun.
dred show whether or not the COW Is
diseased. All dairies should be in
spected and kept In proper condition.
Everything should be scrupulously
clean and there should be ample light
and ventilation. The milk house
should not be near q stable or dwelling.
The milk vessels and utensils should
be immersed In boiling water or steam
and sterilized. II any COW Is found to
be affected with tuberculosis 1t should
be separated from the herd. II al
lowed to remain, the disease may be
communicated to the others. In Ber,
lin cattle found to be infected are
seized and killed. The owner is com.
pensated for the seizure. II the ami.
mails are found to be only slightly az
fected, the meat is thoroughly cooked
which destroys the germs. and is then
sold at a low rate to those wishing
| 1t for domestic consumption. II the
cattle are affected to a dangerous state
the meat is not sold. All this is under
governmental supervision. To prevent
the
SALE OF TUBERCULOSIS MILK
the use OF tuberculosis cows should be
stopped. This has been attempted IL
many cities and states, but with only
partial success. The tuberculin tesl
does not show to what extent the ami
NAL Is diseased. No animal even WITH
incipient tuberculosis should be used
for the production OF milk. The state
doubtless has the power to provide fol
the inspection of all milk cows and
prohibit the use of those shown tt
have tuberculosis. On the western
plains where cattle are outdoors there
are fewer cases OF tuberculosis. The
ill-kept, improperly ventilated and light
ed stable propagates and preserves the
disease. Hygiene principles should bt
followed In the construction of COW
stables. Cattle infected with the dis
case should be extirpated. II seems
like q hardship to condemn and Kill