Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Science
Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)
Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Diet; Hygiene
Cows should have fresh green food all the year, and this can be obtained
in winter time by using silage. It is a mistake to give cows too much of
concentrated foods, such as oil meals and grains. Cattle can not long
remain well on exclusive rations of too heating and stimulating foods.
When fed improperly they soon fall prey to various diseases, such as
rheumatism and tuberculosis. It is the same with other domestic animals.
The horse when overfed on grain develops stiff joints. The hogs that are
compelled to live exclusively on concentrated, heating rations are
liable to die of cholera. Young turkeys that have nothing but corn and
wheat to eat die in great numbers from the disease known as blackhead.
It is the same law running all through nature, applying to the high and
to the low, that improper nourishment brings disease and death.
When cattle roam wild, the green grasses (sundried in winter) are their
principal source of food. Man should be careful not to deviate too much,
for forced feeding is as harmful to animals as it is to man.
The following excellent recommendations for the care of milk are given
by Dr. Charles E. North of the New York City Milk Commission:
"No coolers, aerators, straining cloths or strainers should be used.
"The hot milk should be taken to the creamery as soon as possible.
"The night's milk should be placed in spring or iced water higher than
the milk on the inside of the can. It should not be stirred, and the top
of the can should be open a little way to permit ventilation.
"The milking pails and cans will be sterilized and dried at the
creamery, and should be carefully protected until they are used.
"Brush the udder and wipe with a clean cloth; wash with clean water and
dry with a clean towel.
"Whitewash the cow stable at least twice yearly.
"Feed no dusty feed until after milking.
"Remove all manure from cow stable twice daily.
"Keep barnyard clean and have manure pile at least 100 feet from the
stable.
"Have all stable floors of cement, properly drained.
"Have abundant windows in cowstables to permit sunlight to reach the
floor.
"Arrange a proper system of ventilation.
"Do not use milk from any cows suspected of gargot or of any udder
inflammation. Such milk contains enormous numbers of bacteria.
"Brush and groom cows from head to foot as horses are groomed.
"Use no dusty bedding; wood shavings or sawdust give least dust.
"Use an abundance of ice in water tank for cooling milk."
Perhaps some will take issue with the doctor on the first paragraph of
his recommendation. If straining cloths are used they should be well
rinsed in tepid water, washed and then boiled. However, if his
recommendations are carried out in letter and spirit no straining is
necessary.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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