MICROBES THAT LIVE IN MILK

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2054, 15 April 1907, Page 1

MICROBES THAT LIVE IN MILK

000,000,000 IN SIXTEEN DROPS

“There arc many kinds of lmctorin in milk,” Professor Macfacldyen said in the course of a lecture before the Polytechnic Health Society. “The various families attack and sustain themselves on the constituents of the milk. One group lives on the nitrogenous products, one on the sugars, one on the fats. Peculiar flavors in milk arc caused by bacteria, as are discolorations of blue, red or purple which are sometimes seen. If it were possible to draw the milk from the cow and keep it absolutely free from micro-organisms milk would never go sour. But the dairyman would suffer. The microbe which causes the lactic acid ferment abounds in the largest quantity. The group of bacilli ripens the cream for the making of butter and cheese, and aids the dairyman in his work. The bacilli increase very rapidly. If when cream is fresh there are 100,000 of these lrpcrpbes in 16 drops of milk, after 12 hours ol the ripening process there will he 600,000,000 in the same quantity of fluid. The flavor of the perfect cheese is due to the presence of bacteria and various moulds. !|t will, therefore, he seen that micro-organ-isms do not always constitute enemies, but valuable friends and allies. A large proportion of bacteria in milk is harmless to health. “Of course there are a number of harmful germs, such as the microbe of tuberculosis, the most common dis-

order in cattle, microbes of inflammatory diseases, and the bacilli oi typhoid, diphtheria, or scarlet lever. An adequate pasteurisation, or warming to a temperature ol"150deg. Falir. will destroy the tubercle bacillus. Recent investigations have proved that Malta lever was spread by the goat, which harbored the bacteria in their skin.

‘•J can only suggest some remedies for destroying malignant bacteria in milk. It appears to me that the host results would lie. brought about if the dairymen and farmers co-ordinated and co-operated, as in Denmark. The dairies, cowsheds, and milkmen, and maids should ho .scrupulously clean. The general milk supply should be cooled oil’ to a temperature of 50 deg. immediately after the milk has been drawn. This prevents the increase of micro-organisms, as cold is their greatest enemy. In private families or in dairy farms the milk should he pasteurised, not boiled, as boiled milk is not so well adapted to the feeding of young children. ‘‘With regard to tho manner in which the milk is delivered many people pin their faith to tho hermetically sealed bottle. This of course is the host mailer of convenience, hut unless the milk bottle is scalded every day it. will become a source of danger and not a safeguard.

Last week (sarcastically remarks a contemporary) the peoplo of Aiastcrton, in public meeting assembled, wore loudly calling lor legislative restriction of aliens, and particularly the bringing down of a Bill giving power to deport all. undesirable Asiatic aliens now in the colony. This week they have been aliasing themselves before a couple of hundred Japanese sailors from tile warships now in Wellington. Mayoral welcomes and entertainments, liakas and hand-fihiying formed the programme. A fine, dignified spectacle, truly ! AYliat is conceived to lie an alarming state of matters lias disclosed itself in the West Coast sounds (says the Southland Times). Ferrets during the past year have been making rapid progress throughout the eastern parts of the system, and are known to have got as far in their maraudings as Nortliport, the middle iyacli of Chalky. Those acquainted with the geography of the place will perceive that they are now within measu reahlo distance of Resolution Island —the native birds’ sanctuary. To get there, they must have bridged over these “running waters,” and there is nothing to hinder them continuing the “bridging process” right on to Dusky. This should be seen to at once, otherwise no may waken up to find that our bird preservation enterprise has met with “short shrift.”

Alost people who have visited the island of Ceylon and penetrated into its jungle fastnesses have heard tho cry of the devil bird. This awe-in-spiring sound resembles nothing so much as the scream of a human being undergoing the most terrible torture. Naturalists have identified it with the brown wood owl found in Hindustan. But tlie devil bird, or ulama, as the Cingalese call it, is an elusive creature, and lio one has had tlie good fortune to kill or catch a specimen. The Cingalese—naturally a superstitious race —regard the cry nf this bird with the utmost horror, (hoy believe that its scream, heard at night, presages the most dire misfortune, and they arc in the habit of offering sacrifices to avert the approaching disaster. Air. Fitford, of the Ceylon Civil Service, studied the mysterious bird with great interest. “Its ordinary note,” he writes, “is a magnificent, clear shout, like that of a human being, which can be heard at a distance, and has a fine effect in the silence of the closing night. But the sounds which have earned its had name, and which I have heard but once to perfection, are indescribable, the most appalling that can be imagined, and scarcely to he heard without, shuddering. I can only compare it to a hoy in torture, whoso screams are being stopped by being strangled,”

Judge Backhouse delivered judgment in the Sydney District Court, in the case in which Ada Pearson, widow, of Forbes street, Newtown, sued E. Warwick Fieldhouse, dentist, of King street, Newton, for £IOO damages for negligence in extracting her teeth, whereby one of her teeth passed down her throat, occasioning her serious illness. His Honor said that on the evidence before him, he had no doubt that the plaintiff shallowed tlie tantli, and that if became embedded in her lung. Although he was sorry for the defendant, still it was through liis negligence that a serious wrong had been done the plaintiff, for whom he must find a verdict for £75. Apropos N.S.AV. Chief Justice Parley's advice to barristers to get the fee in advance. Years ago, a well-known Syflney barrister was briefed in a big case by a leading firm of attorneys, and there was a robust sum of money marked on the brief. The case did not come into court, and tho barrister, in returning the document, demanded his fee. The. firm said it had been sent witlrtbe brief. The barrister said it hadn’t arrived. Then the firm’s accountant opened the returned brief and found the cheque inside, where he had originally placed it. Tho barrister hadn't even opened the paper. The name of that barrister was —well, he’s a judge now.