Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-11-20
HUMAN HEALTH AND
BOVINE DISEASE
DANGER OF CONTAMINATED MILK
SPREADING DISEASE OVER.
COME BY QUARANTINE
AND PASTEuRizATIoN

WASHINGTON. d. c., Nov. 16.-The
anxiety that has been expressed in
several quarters in regard to the ef-
feet upon human hath of the pres.
ent outbreak Of the foot-and-mouth
disease Is regarded by government
authorities as somewhat exaggerated
The most common fear is that the
milk supply might become contami-
nared. but in view of the precautions
that the local authorities in the in.
fected areas are very generally TAX
ing, there is comparatively little dan
ger of this. Milk from infected farms
is not permitted to be shipped at all.
The only danger Is, therefore, that
before the disease has manifested it.
self some infected milk might reach
the market. For this reason, experts
in the U. S. department of agricul-
ture recommend pasteurization. AS
matter of fact, however, pasteuriza-
ton is recommended by the depart
ment anyway for all milk that Is not
very high grade and from tuberculin
tested cows.
II has been demonstrated by exper-
iinents which have been made in
Denmark and Germany that pasteuri-
cation will serve as safeguard
against contagion from the foot-and-
mouth disease just as readily as II
does against typhoid fever, but in
any event it must be thoroughly done
the milk must be heated to las de-
grees Fahrenheit and held at this
temperature or 80 minutes.
| In this country the foot.and-mouth
disease has been so rare that there
are few recorded cases of its trans
mission TO human beings. III 1902 q
few cases were reported in New Eng.
land, and In 1908 In a few instances
eruptions were found in the mouths
of children which were believed to
have been caused by contaminated
milk. In both of these outbreaks the
sale OF milk was stopped as soon as
the disease was found among the cat
! tie. AS long, therefore, as the dis
ease can be confined by rigid quaran-
tine to certain specified areas. the
danger rom this source is very small
Should the pestilence spread all over
this country and become as general
as 1t has been at various times in
large areas in Europe, the problem
would become more serious. Under
any circumstances, however, pasteuri-
zation would be an efficient remedy.
| Where pasteurization is not possible,
and where there is any reason to sus.
pect that the disease may exist, the
| precaution of boiling milk might be
advisable. Simple directions for pas.
teurizing milk at home, however, are
contained in Circular 127 which will
be sent free on application to the u.
S. department. OF agriculture.
Cows affected with the malignant
form o the disease lose practically all
OF their milk. In mild cases, how
ever. the decrease may be from one.
third to one-half of the usual yield.
( The appearance OF the milk also
changes. II becomes thinner, blush,
and poor in fat. When the udder is
affected, the milk frequently contains
coagulated fibrin and blood, so that q
considerable sediment forms, while
| tho cream Is thin and OF dirtycolor.
These changes occur. however. only
when the disease Is in an advanced
stage and, as matter OF fact, the
disease is not permitted to pass into
an advanced stage. as any stricken
animal Ia at once slaughtered.
Men who come in contact with di-
eased aulmals may also become in
focted. In adult human beings the
contagion causes such symptoms as
sore mouths, painful wallowing, fever,
and occasional eruptions on the hands,
| finger tips, etc. While causing con.
siderable discomfort, however, the
disease Is rarely serious. Where II Is
very prevalent among animals, some
authoritio boslicve II ! fairly general
among human beings. but that the dis
turbanccs Il causes are usually 10
| slight that they are not brought TO
the attention OF he family physician.
There is. however, a very good ree.
son for everyone giving the diseased
animals as wide berth as possible.
namely. that otherwise they may easl.
ly carry the disease to perfectly heal.
| thy herds. Federal inspectors ongRg.
ed in the worok OF eradicating the
pestIlence are thoroughly equipped
with rubber coats, hats, boots and
gloves, which may be completely dis.
infected, and others who lack this
equipment are attongly urged not TO
allow their curiosity to induce them
to become q menace TO their own and
their nelghbors' property.
The disease in short, is dangerous
because OF tho loss that A occaaIonB