The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-05
DILUTED MILK.

A. Raid BY THE HEALTH OFFICERS ON THE
STEAMERS MONITOR AND WILLIAM TIrTA-
MER.
Although the wiles of the milkman have afforded
the community butt for no end of dry wittcisms
and subject for great deal of real complaint it is
only during the past year that official action has
been taken in way to seriously discourage them.
That the farmer took his dairy produce the spring
for ample dilution no one doubted. it less
probable that the middlemarf and the retailer con-
tributed their share to the weakening process; but
while nothing more harmful feared than the
decrease of nutriment in the fluid little was
taken to put an end to the practice. When. how
ever. it became manifest that the water not only
served to deprive the milk of its nourishing quail
ties. but in many instances carried with it the
germs of disease. the Health Board aroused to
the necessity of more stringently enforcing the
ordinances touching the watering of milk and OF
exercising their authority in putting end to it.
As city dealers in many instances had storage places
through which the milk passed before being offered
Tor consumption. it of course impossible to or
ganize at once perfect system Of surveillance
that each one could be held in check. So the Health
Board, while keeping track OF such offenders when
detected, turned its attention chiefly to the root
of the evil, and is now endeavoring to
check the importation Of milk diluted with
spring water. which has often been found
deleterious DR.. White and Inspector Brennan. who
are charged with the duty Of intercepting the city
supply introduced by way of the North River steam
ers have of late been actively engaged in teaching
the darymen lesson. which. from their experience
Of yesterday morning. it would appear. they had
taken to heart. When tho officers q few weeks ago
boarded the William Cook they condemned nearly
four thousand quarts OF milk which were sum-
marty poured into the river. Later on, when they
vessel to the BALDWIN. thew discovered that the
grievance decreasing. and its general Abatement
was turthered by the destruction OF the impure part
OF the huid.
ANOTHER RAID.
still more extensive raid made yesterday
morning. This time IL the boats carrying milk
from Duchess, Columbia and Essex counties to the
upper North River piers that boarded. At
about o'clock DIR. White and Inspector Brennan.
with force of health officers and the Sanitary
Squad, appeared at the foot OF West Thirty-frth
street and secreted themselves till the tactical cargo
reached the landing. In about half hour the
lights of the steamer William Tittamer were deserted
up stream and soon she was lying at the dock with
her decks fore and aft crowded with milk cans As
soon the hawser fastened the health officers
slipped ABOARD. and the wagons began rafting
the dock and gangplank to repress the Curl
osity and interference of the vendors while the
examination was in progress. Wherever the lact-
ometer indicated from 80 to 112 the milk pro-
nounced in good condition and passed. Where
lower figure was reached undue dilution was re-
vealed, and whenever very high one was touched
there reason to suspect that the milk had been
SKINNED. When such cases occurred the cans were
rolled apart to be reexamned and the work of
ing went on. The result Of the examination
eminently gratifying to the health officials, as it
proved their efforts on former occasions had not
been fruitless. The probability of having their
cargo turned into the river II they adul-
terated It proved more efectual than threats
the in
instances however, OF the old practice kept its
boldest form, where the fluid proved to be only
thirds milk When it was set apart the health
officials made sort OF analytical investigation Of it,
and then at their word can after rolled to
the side and its contents empticd into the river
From the dock, which was now fairly covered by
milk wagons, the vendors looked upon the scene Of
destruction, and not few INDUCED in wild specula-
patrons. who day after day had patiently consumed
SO much water to get at so little milk.
BOARDING THE MONITOR.
By the time the William Tttamer's cargo had been
ment q shrill whistle announced another steamer
at hand, and the Monitor passed down the river
freighted with milk. detachment of the health
officers moved off at this and the steamer came
to her landing couple OF piers further down they
were on hand to board her and subject her to
a similar examination. The Monitor comes
Peekskill, and the milk she brings to the city is
chiefly the produce of diaries IN the river counties
the east side Of the Hudson. Tho in
them had evidently appreciated the significance of
the Health Boards activity, and, although there
quite q quantity of their milk disposed OF in u
manner they had not intended, the fluid they to
town stood the scientific tests fairly and pro-
nounced positive improvement the article
yesterday morning went to show that the quality of
milk now introduced into the city Is much better
than it previous to the Health Board action,
and there is much to hope from the action OF the
OF bringing their produce directly to the consumer
and 80 doing away with the mlddlemen.