The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-06-01

the special strain of tactic bacilli Bacillus bulgaricus) in the colon, to which he ascribed the longevity and the vigorous health of many of the people he observed in south ern Europe. Metchnikoffs own di- rectio1s for preparing Bulgarian sour milk were simple: Skim off the cream, boil the milk five min- utes, let.cool to body temperature, and SOW with culture of Bacillus bulgaricus. He advised that every one should drink pint of such Bulgarian sour milk daily.
 Like nearly all such fads, Bull garian milk reached its peak of popularity and then rapidly de- clined when new and reputedly better kind of cultured, fermented or soured milk was introduced, namely, milk soured with Bacillus acidophilus instead of Bacillus bull garimus. The acidophilus strain of tactic acid bacillus was found to be more readily established in the colon. Whether it is practically so or not, I have no idea, but any way, I don't think it matters. In my judgment plain milk (of course raw milk, preferably Certified milk if this purest grade of milk is available,) allowed to sour natu- rally is as healthful and whole some in any case as any kind of soured, fermented, cultured or treated milk can be. I believe plain old country style buttermilk is fully equal to any fancy milk beverage in health-promoting quail ities. Moreover it is my conviction that if one does not care for but termilk or sour milk or curdled or clabbcred or fermented or cultured milk, whole fesh milk or skim milk the portion left after the cream is removeO, is virtually as effective as any other milk product in implanting and maintaining the desirable preponderance of tactic acid bacilli in the intestine.
 It is desirable that fermentation (change of starch, dextrin, dext- rose, maltese, lactose or other sugars into tactic acid, water and carbonic acid or carbon dioxide gas) should be more active in the colon than putrefaction (change of protein or nitrogenous material into peptones, proteoses, ammonia, aminoacids, phenol, indol. skatol and various other more or less toxic" sounding decomposition products). At least t. tactic fer mentation predominates in healthy persons, and putrefaction tends to predominate in those who do not enjoy good health.
 The tactic bacilli, naturally pres ent in milk and responsible for all souring of milk, change lactose (milk sugar. into tactic acid. This same process occurs in the intes- tine. The acid so produced makes the medium unfavorable for the growth and activity of germs which are responsible for putre- faction. The putrefactive types of germs are more likely to be of the disease-producing kind. They pre- fer medium that is neutral or alkaline.
 These are simply the fundamen- tai physiological facts. In another talk we'll consider the character of the diet in relation to acidity in the colon.
 Banana oil
 Is it injurious to health to work in room where banana oil is used all the time in spray painting? (W. M. A)
 AnsWer-Various solvents having an odor like that of banana or pear are commonly called banana oil";; chiefly amyl acetate. Constant ex- posture to it tends to produce irrita- tion of eyes and nasal mucous mem branes; if much is inhaled 1t can cause sleep terminating in death. The workroom should have exhaust fan ventilation to carry the fumes away.
 Operations
 A bets appendicitis is the occasion for mos. operations in this country today. B bets gonorrhea and its ef- fects makes most operations neces- sary. Which is right? CT. R)
 AnsWer-Survey of the records of 8,758 white families in 130 localities in 18 states between 1928 and 1881 showed that over period of 12 OL" & HE COULDN'T SAY NO"