MILK
. [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR, —An American lady is urging us to drink daily at least a quart, of milk. Before any of your readers follow her advice it might be well to point out that it does not coincide with that of many .high authorities in this country. Moderation,
at any rate, seems adVisable: - .
Webb-jolmson sayi that " Milk' is the- cause of more
and deaths than alcohol." Lord Moynihan has also made sonic striking accusations against the food. So far from being beneficial for the teeth, also, it has been said to be " the commonest cause of pyorrhoea and teeth trouble." The enormous increase during the present century in the con- sumption of sugar is far more likely to be the principal reason for our bad teeth than is any deficiency of milk in the diet.
Milk is not always the innocent drink that it seems to be. Not to mention bacteria or preservatives and adulterations which may be added by both farmer and retailer, it is generally contaminated by alkaloids from poisonous plants, trees and seeds, so common in or near pastures and in foodstuffs. These sometimes kill the animal, but more often give her a myste- rious disease or simply bad health, and, of course, affect the milk.
A safe and easy way to make sure of the necessary vita- mins and organic minerals and to keep one's teeth is to eat plenty of properly cooked vegetables, raw salads and fruits, wholegrain foods and fresh butter, and a minimum of sugary
[Pure milk is undoubtedly the most complete single article of food, but, of course, it is essential that the utmost care be taken to avoid contamination and that extreme vigilance over the healthiness of the herds be exercised.—En. Spectator.]
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