The Portland daily press., 1879-03-01
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The Report of Milk Inspector Cummi nas

Dr.. Ell. T. Cummings, Milk Inspector, has
prepared an elaborate report, of which the fol-
lowing is an abstract:
he commences BY saying that after getting
the necessary books and blanks for the office ir
which to register the milk dealers, he allowed
80 days for the dealers to report. In the regis
tration the question frequently required what
constitutes milk dealer within the meaning
of the statute and ordinance? The question
was not defnable by statute or ordinances, and
must be left to the discretion of the inspector
aud the good will of those who came under bis
jurisdiction Bef ire entering on inspections
he visited Mr.. FAxon, the Boston, and Mr..
Shapley, the Cambridge inspectors, who gave
the data of O26 specific gravity and cream less
than 10 per cent by volume as indicating fraud
ulent additions of water Mr.. Shapley sup
piled him with two accurate hydometer5, and
he procured one of FaXon's hydrometer tubes,
and eight carefully graduated thermometers
from the Metric bureau, aud proceeded to duty
June Sd, 1878. During June he visited all
places on the register in the first four wards,
inspecting hundred samples from % whole
sale dealers. f1ad the milk of the most va
ried quality, ranging from good, normal, whole
milk of specific gravity 1.030 and cream IA per
cent by volume, to milk of 10345 specific grav.
lLy anu cream D per C6ut. Iu6 mix Oh S6Y6D
dealers gave 10 per cent of cream. and one
per cent out of 80 dealers. None fulfilled
Prof. Shapley's condition of specific gravity
l. 026 and less than 10 per cent cream. There
was not one sample Indicating less than than
1.030 by the hydromater, and spite of the 3 per
cent. cream in one case, am not prepared to
suspect anything worse than pretty thorough
skimmiBg. DR.. Cummings considered the by
drOmeter and creamometer only suf1cient to
detect cases of gross and coarse adulteratiop,
I'm in O last of Dacpu nor q rpcaiVad Prof
Fraser's rules from Munich which are capable
of doing the greatest service another year.
There has been no complaints of bad milk
the past year, and in the future, the inspector
will insisG upon complaints being made in
writing. The inspector thinks too much time
is required by the hydrometer and creamo-
meter for analysis, but Prof. Erasers lactro-
scope 10 few minutes will determine the per
cent of butter in a sample of milk, approach
log the results of a most accurate chemical
analysis within one-half of one per cent. The
inspector thinks good deal of the outcry
against the milkmen has been really due to the
method IN which it is kept 10 stores. Milk
that comes over the railroads gets pretty we'll
churned before it reaches its destination, and
IN the store it gets placed where it does not ex-
perience q low temperature or free access OF
as it should. 1t should also be kept in
Gle an vessels. 1t absorbs Odors very readily
and should be kept where it will be free from
the slightest faint or odor These conditions
are not generally observed in stores owing TO
press of business 1t is question Whistler il
would pay to establish local diaries. or milk
storehOuses, properly arranged for the keeping
and sale of milk, in Portland.
Skinned milk is not adulterated or corrupt
ed according to statute. It will support life
and build up the body, and if 1t could be- SOLD
for moderate price and unadulterated would
be boon to the poor SKINNED milk has
some of its constituents removed, thus Prof.
Fraser calls it adullerated, 1st, if the lack is
iueotioual 10 the sal q, if any substance is
added winch increases its weight or volume or
alters its normal proportions; 81, it any sub
stance is incorporated with 1t for the purpose
Of lending it 40 apparent strength; 4ih, if it
contains any constituent directly pernlcious to
the health of man. The inspector then gives
Prot Fraser's rules for judging OF milk when
subject to examination.
Tue inspector suggests when parties fail to
register he may be empowered &c register and
collect fifty cents, and theu impose the larger
penalty if they absolutely refuse to comply
with the statute and ordinances. He would
also suggest all milk dealers names should be
painted on their carts 10 good large letters. A
list OF about 53S registered deslers completes
Ihe report.