[Sidenote: (6) By flies falling into the milk] Flies very frequently get into the milk. Later we shall learn more about how flies carry germs, but at present it is enough to know that on every fly there are a great many germs, and whenever a fly gets into milk it plants those germs and they grow very rapidly. As soon as a cow is milked, the milk should be taken to a clean cooling house, with screens at all the windows and doors, and there strained into a vessel and cooled. [Sidenote: (7) By disease in the cow] The last way that we will mention by which germs get into milk is by disease in the cow herself. Cows suffer from many diseases, just as men do; and when a cow is sick, her milk is very likely to contain the germs of the disease that is making her sick. Especially is this true of tuberculosis, or consumption, as it is called. A great many children get consumption by drinking milk from consumptive cows. No milk should ever be used from a cow that is not healthy. All dairy cows should be examined at frequent intervals by a competent veterinarian to make sure that they are free from any disease. =Questions.= 1. Milk forms what per cent of the food of the people of the United States? 2. Why is it important that milk should be kept clean? 3. Name some ways by which germs get into milk. 4. What is the danger from a dirty cow and barn? 5. How can this danger be prevented? 6. How does the milkman allow germs to get into the milk, and how can he avoid doing so? 7. How should milk cans and bottles be washed? 8. Why is it important that only pure water be used about the dairy? 9. How can flies be kept out of milk? 10. How should milch cows be tested to make sure that they are free from tuberculosis? =Remember.= 1. Milk is a very important article of food; it is both a building and a heat-producing material. 2. When milk is not properly handled, it contains many disease germs. 3. Disease germs often get into milk from unwashed bottles and cans; from dirty barns; from dirty milkmen; from dirty water used to wash the cans and bottles; from flies falling into the milk; from diseased cows. CHAPTER VII DECOMPOSITION OF FOOD [Illustration: FIG. 18. Partially decayed fruit is not fit for food.] [Sidenote: Why partially decomposed foods should not be eaten]