Part 9

For the year just passed we had for average results of 6,045 samples of milk taken: Lactometer, 312; fats, 3.71 per cent; solids, 12.51 per cent. And for the year 1905, 5,890 samples: Lactometer, 312; fats, 3.81 per cent; solids, 12.65 per cent.

As the average result of the year will show, we have very good milk in Cleveland from the standpoint of quality as required by our law, although it is only fair to say to the producers that the milk as it comes into the city is better than it is when delivered to the consumer. I cite a few instances:

Table showing composition of milk as received by milkmen and as delivered to consumers.

+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | As received by | As delivered to | | milkman. | consumer. | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ | Fats. | Solids. | Fats. | Solids. | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ |Per cent.|Per cent.|Per cent.|Per cent.| | 3.9 | 12.69 | 3.3 | 12.02 | | 4.1 | 12.77 | 3.4 | 12.17 | | 4.2 | 13.05 | 3.2 | 11.59 | | 3.8 | 12.62 | 2.7 | 10.55 | | 3.8 | 12.77 | 3.1 | 11.18 | | 4.0 | 13.21 | 3.2 | 12.20 | +-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

The examination for the presence of preservatives consists in carrying along a test for formaldehyde with all samples taken. We are particularly free from this preservative in Cleveland, but six samples having been found treated with formaldehyde in 1905 and four in 1906. The offenders were immediately prosecuted, but in addition to prosecution the board of health uses an effective weapon in the revocation of licenses. The present policy is to revoke the license of any man who is found to have on sale an adulterated milk. Tests for the presence of sodium carbonate, borax, colors, etc., are carried on from time to time as is found necessary. In the past two years we found one sample containing carbonate and one to which annatto had been added as an enriching color.

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D. C. HALE, milk producer: In the past milk delivered to the Cleveland trade has been looked upon simply as milk, with no thought of the conditions under which it was produced. Whether it came from sanitary or insanitary stables it was all sold as one grade and for the same price. But now, since the question has been agitated and brought to the attention of the consumer, we producers look for more definite rules and regulations governing the city milk traffic whereby the dairyman may be rightfully compensated for his painstaking labor.

There is no reason why milk produced in a well-kept dairy of healthy cows where sanitary methods are practiced should not bring more money than that produced by the careless dairyman. It has long been a puzzling problem to many of us why it was that other farm products could be placed in the city market strictly on their merits, while milk, which enters into more foodstuffs than any other product, has to be sold simply as milk and usually for one common price regardless of what has entered into the production of that product. We who profess to have produced sanitary milk in the past have an opportunity at this time to take an advance step in the way of adopting more rigid sanitary rules that may be recommended for the good of the consumer and that may prove practical and, we hope, beneficial to the producer in returning him a more remunerative price for his extra care and attention.

I believe that it is injurious to the general health of a cow to be turned out of a warm stable and allowed to remain out and get chilled, as is the practice with many dairymen. If cows must be turned out of the stable in winter to get water, they should be put in the stable just as soon as they return from water. Keeping the cows comfortable will save hay and grain, increase the milk production, and keep the herd in better health. The kind of feedstuff to be used is a matter of choice, economy, and convenience. If there is one domestic animal more than another that is deserving of sunshine in her home during the winter months it is the cow, not only for her enjoyment, but for her health.

Milk should be handled in such a way, after it leaves the milk room, as to lower the temperature rather than raise it. It should not be exposed to the hot sun. We should urge the importance of transportation companies doing their part toward taking care of the temperature of the milk after it has been delivered to them and until they have delivered it to the city milk dealer.

CLEVELAND’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE TUBERCULIN TEST.

Cleveland was one of the first cities to incorporate in its ordinances a requirement that no milk should be sold in the city except from dairies holding certificates that their cows are free from tuberculosis as shown by the tuberculin test. The experience of this city is therefore of interest and value in connection with the subject of a wholesome milk supply for cities. Following are the sections of the Cleveland ordinance relating to the tuberculin test:

PART ONE, TITLE V.

SEC. 4. On and after the ---- day of ----, 1906, no milk will be allowed to be sold or offered for sale or brought into the city from any cow or cows unless the owner of said cow or cows holds a certificate of this board’s veterinarian, or other veterinarian acceptable to this board, that said cow or cows are free from tuberculosis as shown by the tuberculin test.

SEC. 5. Any person selling or offering for sale any milk from uninspected cows as above shall be subject to having his license revoked.

The city did not attempt at the outset to require all dairymen to conform to this section, and it is not the intention to do so until the State laws on the subject are more efficient and provide prompt compensation for cattle destroyed. At present the tuberculin test is required only of dairies where tuberculosis is known to exist as determined by physical examination or by tracing cattle killed at abattoirs. If the owner does not consent to the test and to the slaughter of the reacting cattle, his milk is excluded from sale in the city, and in addition the State board of live stock commissioners is notified, which commissioners have the authority to enforce the test or to quarantine the suspected herd. If the owner consents, the test is made free of charge. After the test the reacting cattle are appraised by two disinterested persons, one selected by the board of health, the other by the owner. The average between the two values is taken as the true value, and the appraisal and report of the test is submitted to the State board of live stock commissioners. If this board approves the finding, an order is issued authorizing the health department to destroy the reacting cattle, which is done and promptly reported back to the State authorities. The approved appraisal is then submitted to the governor, approved by him, and submitted to the proper committee of the legislature, which finally instructs the State auditor to draw a warrant for the claim. The law allows from one-half to three-fifths of the appraised value, but so far all claims have been paid in full.

The attitude of the dairymen toward the test was somewhat hostile at first, which was natural, as it was a great surprise to them to find that tuberculosis existed to such an extent among their herds. Several instances were met, however, even at the first, of exceedingly public-spirited dairymen who did all in their power to assist the board of health, even where the losses were very severe. The hostile feeling manifest at first has since given way to a fair-minded conception of the situation, and the only objection to the general application of the test is the long delay in the payment of the claims. This is a very great hardship on a dairyman who is in debt and dependent upon his cattle for the support of his family, especially as in Ohio the legislature meets only every alternate year.

The following are the statistics of the work of the board of health for the eighteen months beginning with January, 1906:

Number of herds tested 20 Number of cattle tested 280 Number of reactions 89 Percentage of reactions 32

Tested by other veterinarians under direct supervision of the board of health:

Number of herds tested 13 Number of cattle tested 201 Number of reactions 29 Percentage of reactions 15

It is understood that within the same period about three times as many cows have been tested by private veterinarians, the reacting cattle being secretly sold and shipped to other States.

The greatest good accomplished has been in the dissemination of knowledge concerning bovine tuberculosis among not only the dairymen, but the people generally. The health office receives almost daily inquiries as to where milk from tuberculin-tested cows can be had for domestic purposes, and almost as many inquiries as to where tuberculin-tested cows can be purchased. Nearly one-half of the herds tested have been tested as the result of requests of owners who desired to know for themselves what condition their herds were in. This has been specially true in the last six months. It is expected that more cattle will be tested in the next year than in the preceding eighteen months, and if State laws can be passed that will be satisfactory and efficient and provide a fair compensation there will probably be more herds to test than the present force can handle.

The efforts of the Cleveland board of health to eradicate tuberculosis from dairy herds and to secure a safe milk supply for the city deserve commendation, and other cities may well profit by this experience and adopt similar measures to safeguard the health of the public.

IMPORTANCE OF THE TUBERCULIN TEST.

The public has become aroused and general interest is being manifested especially in measures for reducing the mortality from tuberculosis in human beings. This is shown by the formation of societies throughout the country for furthering these measures and by the general campaign of education which is now under way. It has been shown beyond question that human tuberculosis and animal tuberculosis are communicable between persons and animals, and that a considerable proportion of the cases of human tuberculosis are caused by infection from animal sources. The eradication of tuberculosis from dairy cows is therefore very desirable as a protection to human health.

The tuberculin test is recognized by sanitarians as an agency of the greatest value for detecting tuberculosis in dairy herds and for controlling and eradicating the disease. Without its assistance but a small percentage of the cases could be detected in the live animals. It is remarkably accurate, the records of thousands of cases in which the animals have afterwards been slaughtered showing a correct diagnosis in 97 per cent.

Unfortunately, in the early attempts to control tuberculosis in some States, measures were adopted which were so radical that they aroused the antagonism of the dairymen and cattle owners generally, and little was accomplished in the way of either benefiting the cattle owners or removing the dangers of the disease to the public. It is time that those interested in the dairy and live-stock industries of the country should give their support to all measures tending to check this widespread disease and to prevent the serious losses which it causes. It is to their interest to do so purely as a business proposition, regardless of any benefit to the public health.