INFANT MORTALITY AND THE MILK SUPPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13514, 12 August 1907, Page 8

INFANT MORTALITY AND THE MILK SUPPLY.

Sir,—There . is a great tendency at the present, time to put all the blame of wasted infant life 011 the poor milkers, dirty stockyards, dirty cows, etc. Now the cause is not in the milking or yards or any of the causes suggested, for let anybody look at infants and children reared in any of our country districts, and what do we find? Strong, healthy infants and children growing tip, all of whom have an abundant supply of milk, which is milked from the dirty cows in the dirty yards such as people are led to believe generally exist. Now, if things have been as stated, it is a wonder that any children in our country districts have survived, instead of being the fine healthy ones they are. No, sir, the decline of the infants is not caused by what is being made out. Would that all infants could get the milk direct- from those cows and yards. It may be in the infants' homes that the milk gets contaminated; it is generally sound and good when it leaves the farms. Some people seem to think that cow-mil'king can be done without mud. Let them try it and they will soon discover to the contrary. - Of course, every care should be taken to ensure cleanliness in every way, but mud is, 1 regret to say, always with : ,us in winter and spring, particularly where cattle have to bo driven about. H.C. Mauku.