Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-17
Milk Inspection.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
am sure the citizens of Washington all re-
jo1ce that our District Commissioners have be-
come aroused to the vital Importance of a
thorough supervision and inspection of the
milk supply Of the city. 1t is hoped that not
only one, but several milk inspectors, will be ap-
pointed. and that the work be thoroughly done
and kept up continuously. Washington is far
behind other cities in the matter of milk in
spection. In Chicago there is one general in
spector at salary of 5000 year and ten in
spectors at 1000 each
In paper by Prot. Albert r. Leeds OF New
Jersey on Official Dairy Inspection and SAM
tary Milk Control" published in the "Annals
OF hygiene for Januar-. he saws:
ITO effect the objects above detailed the work
of inspection must begin with the cows and
the dairy; provision must be made for sys-
tematic official dairy inspection. This will re-
quire the services of corps of inspectors,
competent and able and specially trained to
accomplish this delicate, and In some cases,
very difficult and arduous task. The law Of
New Jersey condemns the keeping Of COWS in a
crowded and unhealthy condition. At present
everywhere are stables IN which there is neither
drainage. floor space. air space. ventilation nor
cleanliness adequate to keeping COWS in such
condition as is requisite to their supplying
wholesome milk.
The quality of the milk should be improved
solids Of milk should be raised to 1917 per cent
II should also demand not less than 81 per-
cent Of fat. While fresh milk taken from a
healthy COW IN clean stable contains
almost no bacteria. the number present in
milk taken from COWS in filthy stables
passes belief. One sample contained over
100000 colonies of bacteria in cubic cent?
meter about one-third of teaspoonful.)
Another contained 100000 colonies
teaspoonful of this milk would
contain 100000 colonies of bacteria
In many retail groceries
milk is sold simply accom- mediation to
customers. The can is huddled away under a
counter or in a corner of dirty. il-ven tiated
and overcrowded shop. Many persons have
access to it. sometimes children suf-
fering from infectious diseases. In
Holland the milk shops have their wallis
floors and counters lined with polished
white tiles. The cans which are usually Of tin
lined copper or brass, shine like FURNISHED
mirrors. 1t would be great gain if the
handling of milk and related dairy products
were carried on as separate business"
In the discussion of the foregoing paper
from which have given only a brief extract
State Dairy Commissioner Mcclure of New
Jersey stated that owing TO the system of In
spection in vogue the wholesale adulteration of
milk in New jersey that was once the rule had
become a thing of the past. He differs from
the ordinarily accepted view that adulteration
or dilUton by water IS only commercial
fraud from the fact that it debases the nour-
ishment of children. and if the water used be
foul 1t is very provocative OF disease.
Dr. L. y. Shakespeare. the port physician OF
Philadelphia. claims that impure milk is much
more 10 be dreaded than cholera. He thinks
that 1t Is one of the greatest needs of tine day
to create widespread public sentiment on this
subject. He would also ike to see the legal
standard of solids in milk raised TO 10 per cent.
Fl. .. HALL.