The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1907-11-28

| dairy farms and milk distributing depOts
cannot be too strongly recommended.
Recent investigations in various parts
of the country have conclusively
shown that the conditions on many
Of the farms and at many milk depots
| are anything but ideal; they are. in
| fact, about as bad as it is possible
to conceive. Stables are poorly light
| ed, many having no windows what.
ever, and ventilation is not provided
\ for. Little attention is paid to floors,
ceilings, walls or stable yards. Swine,
horses and poultry are often found in
the same barn with the cows. Manure
| is not removed, or, when removed, is
| thrown through an opening in the wall
or just outside the door, frequently
near the milk room. The necessary
appliances for sterilizing and cooling
in the milk room are often lacking.
making it impossible to properly wash
and sterilize pals, cans, bottles, ami
other appliances, or to properly cool
and hold at low temperature the
milk before delivery.
Milk dealers as a rule have more re-
! gard for sanitation and have better
appliances than are TO be found on
the average farm, but some common
practices are depIorable. Very few
dealers have appliances for sterilizing
bottles. Drivers not infrequently bot
tie milk on the wagon, using bottles
that have come from some household
NJ hax
and appliances are not kept in as san
itary condition as should be required.
A number of dealers do not separate
business from home operations. Help
Of unknown origin and doubtful habits
Is employed and is a constant menace
to purity of milk. Up to April 5 of
the present year a careful examina-
tion had been made. under the super
vision Of the department of agri-
culture, of 727 dairies supplying milk
to the District of Columbia. This ex-
animation took into account only the
sanitary condition Of the farms and
did not include the health of the ami
mails nor an examination OF the water
supply, except as these points would
be revealed by observation on the
premises at the time Of the inspection
The average rating of these 727 dair-
les, on the basis of 100 as perfect,
was 45.1 per cent. Thirty-three were
above 20 per cent, 27S between so
and rs per cent, and 407 scored less
test had been applied TO but four of
the herds, though many proprietors
stated that the test would be applied
in the near future. With tested herds
and pure water supply assured, this
showing would be deplorable, but un-
der existing conditions of probable
water contaminations and but four out
of 727 herds tubereulin tested, what
shall be said?
A similar study has been made of
conditions in the city, and the situa-
ton there is not nearly so bad as in
the country. Seventy-three depots
were examined. of which IS were
rated above rs per cent and q be-
tween 57.5 and 10 per cent.
The situation in Washington is not
different from that confronting the
health departments of most of the
cities of any size throughout the
country. The public is gradually awak-
ening to the fact that these conditions
must be changed
The following are suggested as ideal
conditions, which might be used as a
basis for rules and regulations:
The Cows.
1. Have the herd examined fre
quently by a skilled veterinarian
Promptly remove any animals sus
pected of being in bad health. Never
add an animal TO the herd until Ger
tain it is free from disease, especially
| tuberculosis.
2. Never allow a COW to be ex
cited by hard driving, abuse, louC
talking, or unnecessary disturbance
do not unduly expose her TO cold OF
storms,
3. Clean the entire body of tn,
COW daily. Hair in the region of the
udder should be kept short Wip,
the udder and surrounding parts will
clean, damp cloth before milking
4. Do not allow any strong Favored
feed such as garlic, cabbage or tur
nips. to be eaten except immediatel!
after milking.
s. Salt should always be accessible
6. Radical changes in feed shoul,
be made gradually.
Z. Have fresh. pure water in abun
dance, easy of access, and not to-
cold.
The Stables.
s. Dairy cattle should be kept 4
a stable where no other animals ar
housed. preferably. without cellar O