New-York tribune., 1901-06-22
WORK OF MILK COMMISSION
WHAT THAT BODY is DOING To FTP
NISH A PURE SUPPLY FOR THIS CITY

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The existence and work of the milk COM
mission of the Medical Society of the Coun+,. -.
New-York would seem to be of sufficient Dubfic
interest 10 call for brief account OF this mo-
ment.
over year ago an evening given to a dis
cussion OF the milk problem. especially as il at
fected large cities: various experts from drare+
parts or the country were present including thu
Chief of the Dairy Division of the United Statas
Department of Agriculture. and so much interest
was aroused that the society determined 10 forr,
a commission that should study the best metbods
of improving the milk supply of New-York In
pursuance OF this plan the commission held q
conference with the milk dealers, invitations hav
Ing been extended 70 all the principal dealers in
Manhattan and The Bronx The friendly co-opera-
tion OF the best dealers was thus earnestly soupb+
as 1t was recognized that the subject wcs beset
with difficulties that must be solved. IL at all br
the increased attention and labor of those actuaII
concerned in the production and handling OF milk
business.
The milk that is put into large city must be
gathered from diverse and distant sources trans
ported many miles. and finally distributed after
many vcissitudes and changes to the consumer
who himself keeps it a certain length of time be-
fore its use. When consider that all this han
pens 20 vital fluid that is unstable in its compo
sition that is sensitive many unavoidable fac
tors. such as temperature, atmospheric effects
shaking. and. above all. TO dirt and dirty utensils
we must wonder that the milk of our city is as
good as II is.
The milk that is daily delivered in New-Yors
comes from five States. including thirty-four coun
ties. and comprises than one million and a
quarter quarts
Milk is exceedingly good culture medium for
the growth of bacteria of all kinds and modern
studies show that the presence and numbers of
bacteria form good gauge of the general condi-
ton OF the milk and the care with which IL has
been handled. The milk commission decided IN
form a bacterial standard for the purity of tba
ed q Z in o1v-
mfkmen- This has been done in several eases
with private companies through the country and
u was decided 10 extend its benefits any dealer
desiring such oversight. The Board of Health
looks after chemical composition. and has lately
required that milk be not too largely contaminated
with bacteria. circular drawn up for dis
trtbutton among milkmen. containing the best
methods 10 be employed in producing and handling
milk. especially when il has be transported for
a long distance. The rapid deterioration CT milk
can be much hindered by early preventing its con-
tamination by bacteria present in the dirt OF
stables barnyards. upon the cow and the persons
OF the men milking and handling the milk Utensils
tdt are hot slrlcty cIe4n aIso haroor ana produce
these minute germs II IS not maintained that
directly harmful in themselves. although infants
and invaltds may suffer from contamination tuat
will not especially affect healthy adults
During 1900 over six thousand children under
hve years died IN New-1ork city from diarrhoeal
diseases largely due 10 drinking old and contami-
mated milk Mix swarming with bacteria soon
patrons take good care Of their milk and those
and have dirty ways generally in milking and car
The commission has determined upon a standard
or clean milk. and will certify the milk of any
several conpsent bactsroISgst Who have bSrs oI
tor the commission during the last six months. not
Ing and cart Inspecting the d darv N farms P4s V5 l5ac
produce the milk has shown that milk UP its ad-
vanced standard can be sold in this city by OBJ
'Fs Fasrct sTfs eean3ess which includes me
barns, yards, cows. milkers and all utensils Bac-
terra which get into milk by means of dirt
Second-Rapid and sufficient cooling of the milk.
he Few bacteria that DO get in are thus prevented
Third-Thoroush icing around the milk until il
from the Sro%tR Of bacteria s thus Teaed G tIAe
p Is oDSgFyed Jnat "a an fl0GTate t and expensive
much more care than is usually observed. The
vice on these matters and it s Wiling ana ' able % to
placed at the disposal Of the commission in the
pursuit of this important work; expert thus
stands ready to visit any farm dairy and recon-
mend such changes as are required 10 perfect the
handling OF the milk number OF such visits
Improvement in the output. The good results OF
not Vet reached the standard OF the commission
Greater care and cleanliness are observed: and
the standard while others are working to attain n
be certied as shown by label These labels
best TO wait short interval to see if the standard
extra milk for sale. and should get an extra price
for y. above his average. as his farmer naturally
IL the public IS prepared 70 sustain this move
ment they pay a little for what IS
worth much to them. The milk dealers can
be philanthropy else's expense
The further test Of This important experiment. will
thus rest with the public Ii there is a suitable
demand for the improved article the commission
will continue its work II is believed that the
public health will thus be conserved. and the death
rate among little children markedly lessened.
The Board Of Health is doing excellent work on
the milk question. but in the nature of the case.
from the limitations of the law and the lack of
public sentiment sustaining them they cannot de-
mand that all milk sold in the city shall have the
standard of purity required by the commission.
HENRY DWIGHT CHAPLIN, VI. D.,
chairman Milk Commission
GEORGE B. FOWLER VI d.