The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-11-14
MILK INEEGIION
Continued from page one.

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 he confined by rigid luaran-
tine to certain specified areas, the
danger from this source is very
small. Should the pestilence spread
all over the 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,
pasteurization would be an efficient
remedy. Where pasteurization is not
possible. and where there is any
reason to suspect that the disease may
exist, the precaution Of boiling milk
might be advisable. Simple direc-
tons for pasteurizing milk at home,
however, are contained in Circular
1877 which will be sent fee on appli-
cation to the United States depart
ment Of agriculture.
Cows affected with the malignant
form OF 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. 1t becomes thinner, blush,
and poor. in fat. When the udder is
affected, the milk frequently contains
coagulated fibrin and blood, so that
a considerable sediment forms, while
the cream is thin and Of q dirty col
or. These changes, however, occur,
only when the disease is in an adj
vanced stage and, as a matter of fact,
the disease Is not permitted to pass
into an advanced stage, as any strick-
en- animal is at once slaughtered.
Men who come In contact with dis
eased animals may also become in
fected. In adult human beings the
contagion causes such symptoms as
sore mouths, painful swallowing, fe-
yer, and occasional eruptions on the
hands, finger tips, etc. While caus-
ing considerable discomfort, however,
the disease is rarely serious. Where
1t is very prevalent among animals,
some authorities believe that 1t is
fairly general among human beings,
but that the disturbances 1t causes are
usually SO slight that they are not
brought to the attention Of the family
physician. There is, however, a very
good reason for everyone giving the
diseased animals as wide. berth as
possible, namely, that otherwise they
may easily carry the disease to per-
fectly healthy herds. Federal in
spectors engaged in the work of erad-
icating the pestilence are thoroughly
equipped with rubber coats, hats.
boots and gloves, which may be COM
Ipletely disinfected:. and others who
lack this equipment are strongly
urged not to allow their curiosity to
induce them to become a.menace to
their own and their neighbours prop
erty.
The disease, in short, is dangerous
because of the loss that It occasions
to property, and not because Of its eff
fects upon the health OF mankind. At
present all infected herds are being
slaughtered as soon as they are dis
covered, the carcasses buried, and the
premises thoroughly dlsinfected. I'm.
til all danger of infection has been re-
moved In this way, the local author
tiles quarantine the milk.
Those who wish additional precau-
tons are recommended to use pas
teurtzed milk, but as has already
been said, this Recommendation holds
true whether or not there Is any fear
OF the foot-and-mouth disease.
ri e