The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-01
PROTECTION NEEDED.

Intelligent persons cannot cherish the
smallest doubt that there should be very
rigid official supervision of certain foods
largely consumed and peculiarly suscepti-
Bile to contamination. The chief of these
is milk. Such a necessity was recognized
by fraction of the last Legislature in the
introduction of bill providing for milk
inspectors.
The subject has been reawakened by the
activity of the present City Board of
Health. 1t is something novel in the his
tory of San Francisco to see public ser
wants in that capacity SO alert as these in
cumbents. They are now insisting that a
bacteriologist is greatly needed, and have
engaged DR.. John G. Spencer for the posi-
ton. The Mayor, who by virtue of his
Office is member of the board has OPP
posed the appointment on the sole ground
that no provision exists for the payment
of such an experts salary. The majority
of the board claim that under the law they
have the power and can act independently
of the Supervisors, and that the Auditor
is bound to approve the bills which they
present.
1t is here that the one unfortunate phase
of the subject presents itself. DR.. Spencer
is regarded as an eminent specialist in
bacteriology, and as he is said to be will
ing to accept the position and take his
chances with the salary further argument
on that point seems to be shut off. But it
is unfortunate that there should be any
likelihood of confusion or clash. 1t dis
closes one of the many weaknesses of the
present scheme of municipal government
and indicates another need for its reorgan-
ization.
Milk is extremely susceptible to disease.
This may have been impaired by the COW
in the shape of consumption and other
dangerous germs, and it may be received
by the slightest exposure to contaminated
air. If it escape all these perils it still has
to run the risks to which some dealers Gu
pidity may subject it. 1t is discouraging,
for instance, to learn from DR.. Morse that
until the authorities of New Orleans placed
a competent expert in charge of the super
vision of the milk supply the people of that
city had been paying 100000 year for
Mississippi River water when they thought
they were paying for milk. As New
Orleans is smaller city than San
Francisco we have cause to wonder what
is the condition Of affairs with us. But
water is the least Objectionable or the for
eign elements in milk.
The most critical time in human life is
infancy, as it is then that the system is
most susceptible to disease and the artifi-
cial food supply most apt TO contain disease
germs. 1t is unquestionabe that in cities
where there is competent and honest
supervision of the milk supply the NOR
tality of infants is comparatively low. But
it is one thing TO suffer the need of such
an officer and quite another to receive his
best services when appointed. 1t is pleas
ant to be able to say that as a rule physi-
clans in public Office have generally dis
closed vastly higher sense of official
conscience than the average political
office-seeker. 1t is to be hoped that DIR.
Spencer will maintain the reputation of
his profession. 1t is difficult to see how
bacteriologist for San Francisco could
properly discharge his duties without
giving them all his time, but the presump-
ton is that DR.. Spencer understands that
requirement and realizes that it will be as
much his duty to go abroad among the
servers of food and inspect their product
as to analyze the samples that may be vol
unfairly submitted to him.