Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-28
ORIGIN OF FEVER GERM
NOT COMMONWEALTH THROUGH
WATER GIVEN TO COWS.

There is no reason to believe that the
germs of typhoid fever, even IL they exist
In water swallowed by-cattle. would cause
typhoid fever or any similar disease in the
cattle, and still less reason for believing
that, without affecting the health of the
cow, they pass through the body of the
cow into the milking pail"
This declaration was made today by
Health Officer Woodward in the course of
a formal answer to one of series of ques-
tions propounded a few days ago by Com
missioner Vest
Other queries in the list, with their an
swers as submitted today, are as follows:
How many dairy farms supply milk in
the District of Columbian
Answer-'900."
How many Of these farms have been
visited by Inspectors since April 1 last?"
Answer-''815."
What was the total number Of visits to
these farms during the period between April
and August 11?" CThe questions were
referred to the health department by Mr..
West on the latter date)
Answer.-"1, 267."
Examination Of Water Supply.
'In how many cases during said period
has the water supply for the cattle at these
farms been examined and the water ana
lyzed?"
supplying milk to this community is exam
ined at practically every inspection and
subsequent thereto If any changes are
noted. Analyses of the water supply for
water supply is drawn from the same
source as the water used for washing uten-
sis. cooling milk, ETC., and in such cases
during the period covered by this report
twenty-eight analyses were made. The
water OF streams and ponds that are used
exclusively for the cattle is not analysed.
When such water Injuries the health Of the
cattle. the cattle themselves are con-
that cattle are not affected by any typhoid
germs that may be in the water they
drink.)
"In how many cases during said perioa
has the water been shown to be contami-
Answer-''Ten."
I'm how many cases during said period
has the milk been analysed"
Answer-"Milk, 2015; cream, 266; total,
2281."
In how many cases has the milk been
shown to be below standard?"
Answer-"Milk, $50; cream, 112; total,
372"
Analyses Of Milk.
do the milk a Uses made by the
health department include colonies Of
bacteria and. IL SO, IS record kept
thereof"
AnsWer-"Mllk analyses made by the
health department do not include the de-
termination OF the number of bacteria
in the milk or colonies of bacteria"
'In order to make such analyses bacte-
biological laboratory would have to be
maintained. and recommendations made by
the health officer for the establishment and
maintenance OF such laboratory have not
been favorably considered by the Commits
Sioners."
Other questions in the list pertained to
the water supply on dairy farms. the health
officer stating that examinations Of the
water supply are made at about every In
spection visit. but that analyses are made
only when suspicion is aroused.
When contaminated water supply il
found the licensee maintaining the dairy
farm Is required to provide a suitable
supply in reasonable time, and in de-
fault, II he be a nonresident, his permit
is revoked If his farm Is in the District
he IL prosecuted In the Police Court
Commissioner Vests queries were In
spired by his observation OF conditions in
a recent visit to the country, and they
and their answers may be found to play
an important part in the determination OF
the much-sought- after cause OF the iDkreas-
ing prevalence Of typhoid fever In the
District this summer.