THE RELATION BETWEEN BACTERIAL NUMBERS AND BIOCHEMICAL VALUES IN MILK FROM STREPTOCOCCUS-FREE QUARTERS

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Abstract
An attempt has been made to determine whether abnormalities in the composition of the milk from streptococcus-free quarters are due to bacterial infection.Four normal young animals whose previous history was known in considerable detail were selected for study. Series of samples from consecutive milkings were examined at intervals over a period of several months. Unfortunately none of the quarters studied showed more than a transitory rise in the level of catalase values during these detailed studies, so that the findings reported do not settle the question. Regular rhythmic fluctuations in counts from the foremilk were again noted, extremely high counts for the morning milkings alternating with low counts for the afternoon milkings.The relation between bacterial numbers and abnormal composition of the foremilk is not a simple one. High biochemical values may accompany low count levels while extremely high counts may exert no apparent influence upon the composition of the milk at that time. Possibly a second agent in addition to bacteria is concerned.More intensive studies of a single animal yielding milk with very high counts revealed higher biochemical values for strippings than for foremilk, those for catalase being surprisingly high. Despite the unusual nature of these findings, none of the four quarters became definitely abnormal during the fourteen weeks during which this animal was under observation, but subsequent routine samplings have shown that all four quarters must now be regarded as abnormal.No one type of organism appears to be associated with changes in the composition of the secretion.

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