Charlevoix county herald., 1907-09-28

A systematic sanitary inspection Of
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, and
other appliances, or to properly cool
and hold at a low temperature the
llllh DClOlS uCliNCly
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 deplorable. 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
and have not been sterilized. Wagons
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 of
the present year careful eXamina-
ton had been made, under the super
vision of the department of agri-
culture, of 1877 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 1877 dair-
les, on the basis of 100 as perfect,
was 45.1 per cent. Thirty-three were
above rs per cent, 27S between so
and rs per cent, and 407 scored less
Pm lin,
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 I'M
water contaminations and but four out
Of 727 herds tuberculin 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 46 were
rated above rs per cent. and 81 be-
tween 57.5 and rs 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
WI aicyh hn
basis for rules and regulations:
The Cows.
1. Have the herd examined fire.
quently by 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 COW to be ex-
cited by hard driving, abuse, loud
talking, or unnecessary disturbance;
do not unduly expose her to cold or
storms.
3. Clean the entire body of the
COW daily. Hair in the region of the
udder should be kept short. Wipe
the udder and surrounding parts with
a clean, damp cloth before milking.
4. Do not allow any strong favored
feed, such as garlic, cabbage or tur-
nips, to be eaten except Immediately
after milking.
5. Salt should always be accessible.
8. Radical changes in feed should
be made gradually.
z. Have fresh, pure water in abun-
dance, easy of access, and not too
cold.
The Stables.
Dairy caffla ahnuld ha liant In,