THE PROPERTIES OF THE BACTERICIDAL SUBSTANCE IN MILK

Certain of the properties of the bacterial agent in milk have been studied. The substance is present in the colostrum and milk of the first few days of lactation as well as later. Its concentration varies in the secretion from various quarters of the same cow. Its activity is diminished by heat and cannot be restored again by the addition of active milk. The principle is present in whey and readily passes through the coarsest Berkefeld filter although a considerable portion is retained by N candles. The finest filter (W) completely retains it. It is adsorbed by animal charcoal but not by kaolin, kieselguhr, or bolus alba. It can be desiccated and its presence has been demonstrated in one brand of dried milk.