Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-02

that I had less hesitation in the matter.
because l knew that the existing evils
could be removed with comparatively
small expenditure and improved manage
mert.
The specific evils to which I called his
attention included the uncleanly condition
of the kitchen. the bad arrangement LOT
diSposing of refuse. and the tact that
the milk was kept in open vessels in the
same refrigerators as the vegetables ana
meats. My information was that the milk
was sometimes left overnight IN the
kitchen and mixed with fresh milk IN tho
morning; that the cans sent to the dairy
for milk were often very dirty; that there
were but two people to wash china. etc.
plete cleansing of plates and other table,
ware. and that much Of the help was
cheap and incompetent I also called MS
attention to the sewerage system, the
litter and trash accumulated at points
on the premises and to the unpleasant and
presumably unwholesofe odors at some
places there. ] recommended to MN
the installation of new and Improved
sewerage system and free use of hot wa
ter in the dairy, that no persons be allow
ed to enter the dairy but those employed
there and that the COWS be prevented
from pastucing in the field through which
the sewerage flows. l also recommended
that the present kitchen be torn down
and new one built. with hygienlc and
lebor-saving devices. l respectfully refer
the resident physician to that letter, to
which have no doubt he can easily gain
access. I have advised my friend; that.
trouble at the Old Sweet. because was
impressed by the zeal and earnestness
Of the manager in correcting existing
evils. I understood him to say that he
would not undertake the management OF
the resort another year unless the kitchen
was rebuilt and a new sewerage system
installed.
I must take exception to the ohserva-
81 Io,,f nj, n.
ing the relation of dirt and filth. pu-
trefaction and fermentation. metallic
vessels" and the development of pto-
maines in milk. 1t is difficult, of course.
to prove conclusively that dirt and filth
always cause disease. but where there
are dirt and filth we are likely to hnd
more bacteria, and consequently larger
proportion of disease-producinS bacteria.
All putrefaction is the result of bacte-
rial growth Ptomaines are, as he states,
an .alkaloidal substance produced by the
process of .putrefacton or fermentation,
They are also defined as ''putrefactive al
kaloids produced by bacterial growth.
obtained from decomposing f1uid-meat.
fish. old cheese and milk undergoing bac-
terial decomposition as well as from pure
bacterial cultures"
Tyrotoxicon is the ptomaine sometimes
found in decomposing milk Milk tree
from bacteria will remain for an indeil-
mite period without any perceptible
change. Milk will not become sour If 1T
is kept from being contaminated with
bacteria. The specific bacteria of tyro-
toXicon and the exact conditions neces-
sary to produce them are difficult to
prove. We can know certainly. however
that it is product of the growth of some
bacteria. Therefore cleanliness is neces-
sary to preserve the safety and whole
someness of milk. AS to the danger of
ordinary tin vessels. the constituents of
milk do not act upon tin. The acids de-
veloping in the course of decomposlng
| milk may act upon the lead ordinarily
mixed with tin. but this action is so
sight and would require such long time
| TO develop a poisonous quantity that the
| milk would become too sour to tempt any
| body to drink ii.
The chief danger from tin vessels is The
difficulty of cleansing them thoroughly.
| The cracks and joints furnish harbor-
| ing places for bacteria. in which they can
| he destroyed only with high degree OF
| heat: and when not destroyed. they find
growth and development. The purpose
| of my card in the Dispatch was not to
antagonize any one connected with the
| OLD Sweet. but to bestow criticism which
! thought to be deserved and to inform
| the public of facts which think 1t should
| cation to arouse hotel managers. and es-
pecially those at summer resorts, to a
| proper appreciation of the hygienic neces-
| stiles and to the danger to the public
| health and their own interests OF neglect
| of proper precautions.
The fact that drank two glasses OF
buttermilk from infected vessels is not
| important. I may say, however. in re-
ference to that matter. that part of my
| business is to perform experiments. The
result of this particular experiment was
that was made slightly sick myself. and
| that others who drank the same milk
| were more or less severely affected.
| ENN1ON G. WILLIAMS.