The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-05-15
HEALTH OFFICER
WILL NOT CONFER
PURE MILK COMMITTEE
WILL HAVE TO TAKE TROUBLES
TO THE SANITARY BOARD.

Mayor Says Chamber of Commerce
EeopIe Arc Wasting Valuable
%PerEy and Refers the Question
- W., Drummer, who Says He Is an
Executive omcer-Supt. Otis Ash
more Talks InterestlnSIy on Sub
ject.
There will be no conference between
Health officer W. F. Drummer and the
Pure Milk Committee of the Chamber
of Commerce.
The Pure Milk Committee will not
take the matter up with DIR. Drummer,
or more properly speaking, DR.. Brun-
ner will not consent to discuss the
subject with the committee. The COM
mittee will have TO apply to the sani-
tary board for a hearing, as DR.. Brun-
ner will not discuss the matter
II am an executive officer" said DR..
Drummer yesterday. Il cannot, take up
the matter with the committee, or with
any one else. My functions are purely
executive. l will refer the committee
when 1t comes to see me to the SAM
tary board. The board can take the
matter up and do whatever it sees
fit can not, as my Office is executive,
pure and simple"
Wasting Good Energy.
Mayor Myers, when asked about the
matter, said: See the health authori-
ties" He thought all health questions
were being properly looked after by
the city, but had no special informa-
tion himself about milk.
1T seems to me that the Chamber
of Commerce committee is wasting a
lot OF good energy that might be
used TO advantage" said the Mayor.
However, see DR.. Drummer. / don't
know anything about the question. ex-
cept that all health matters are being
properly looked after.
Up to Sanitary Board.
Dr. Drummer, when seen, as was sug-
gested by the Mayor, replied as stat
ed in the foregoing. He takes the po-
sition that he is merely to enforce the
health regulations of the city. If the
sanitary board takes the matter up,
as it doubtless will, DR.. Drummer will,
of course be called upon for his opin-
ion, and whatever he says will deter
mine the action of the board. AS
health officer his advice is followed
absolutely in making the regulations
for the city on questions of this kind
1t is understood that the city off,
Gals generally do not attach the i'm
portance to the question that the
Chamber of Commerce committee does.
1t is not probable that any change
will be made in the present regula-
tions. The city now has the right to
inspect milk whenever it wants to.
Samples may be taken from any de-
livery wagon at any time. But there
is no regular inspector and no use is
made of the ordinance on the SUBJ
ject.
of Vital Importance.
1.-THE dangers that often Turk in
citys milk supply are of vital impor
tance to the health of its inhabitants,
said Supt. Otis Ashmore of the public
schools, who has given the matter
much thought. Abundant experience
has shown beyond all doubt that vio-
lent epidemics of typhoid fever, and
other dangerous diseases are often di-
rectly traceable to the milk supply.
THE composition of milk is of such
a character, as to render it most ex-
cellent culture bed for many germs
that are detrimental to health. 1t has
been shown time and time again that
cows drinking water polluted with the
germs of typhoid fever have infected
nearly every family with that dread
full disease, along the route of milk
distribution.
1T is, therefore. a matter of great
Importance for a city TO guard closely
the purity. of its milk supply. Every
citizen of Savannah is vitality concern
ed in the manner in which our dairies
are conducted. in what the cows eat
and drink, how they are kept and how
the milk is handled and distributed.
City's Duty to Protect.
"a city has the right to legislate up
on any subject that so vitality affects
its welfare. 1t is the duty of a city
government to protect the health and
lives of its citizens by proper legisla-
tion and inspection. 1t has long been a
matter of surprise to me that Savan-
nah, whose surroundings strongly sug-
gest a close inspection of its milk
supply, has never taken any active
steps. in this matter.
Some years ago while l was teach
ing chemistry in the High School l
made many examinations of the milk
brought by the pupils from their
homes.
Many of the samples were up TO
the standard of good milk, but many
were below the standard ip cream and
milk sugar while not a few unmistak-
ably showed that they had been ex-
posed to the rain, or the town pump.
Watered Milk HarmIess-But.
AodA NhE dIANANAAON III NiGdih vi TIC
excess of a little harmless water in
milk. though due to fraudulent prac-
tees, is of but small moment when
compared with the disease producing
bacteria which the milk may contain
One means a few cents lost by fraud.
the other sickness, doctors bills, and
often death. tears, widows and or
phans.
IF I were operating a dairy l would
certainly favor cifW inSnppfinn
would lessen unworthy competition,
and afford me an opportunity through
this very inspection of extending my
business. 1t is a protection to the
honest dairyman and the consumer
alike.
Il hope our Board of Health, with
its efficient executive officers, will give
the matter due consideration, for l be-
lieve it is one which too vitality con-
Germs the welfare of our people to be
neglected.