The San Francisco call., 1905-04-02


waged q crusade against impure
- milk and that its efforts in this
laudable direction have been
crowned with success is evidenced by
the improved quality OF the milk served
70 householders and greater cleanliness
in the dairies. Another year must pass
before dairynen are educated up TO the
high standards required by the health
authorities and this can only be
brought about by a rigid observance
and enforcement OF the milk and dairy
ordinances.
The public, either through Ignorance
or hee6lessness, are not alive to the
danger Of consuming impure milk and
il therefore devoives upon the health
authorities to take all those precau-
tiong that viii safeguard the lives Of
citizens This can only be accom-
plished by energetic work A large
CORDS Of inspectors is needed and their
aim should be TO enforce the existing
milk and dairy ordinances. They must
not be hampered IN their task and
they should be intelIigently directed by
those who have the requisite expert
ence and who have given the subject
great study and consideration.
Since his appointment as Health Of
fcer. Dr. D. F. Ragan has given much
thought and attention TO the subject
Of milk It is due TO his efforts that
the quality OF milk now served in San
Francisco is cleaner and above the
butter-fat standard He has personally
visited the dairies Of this city and Vi
cinity and forced the owners to OBJ
=
bered that a year ago the Health Of
fCer began crusade against filthy
milk" and his findings startled the
community. Diaries were found un-
sanitary in the extreme and a disgrace
10 a civilized people. The herds were
found Quartered and nailked IN sheds
that were alive with vermin and the
men engaged in handling the milk
were as dirty as their surroundings
The milk was alive with bacteria be-
fore il left the dairy, and by the time
Il was turned over 10 the user IL con-
tained millions of colonies Of bacteria
that would play havoc with the strong
est stomach.
When il is known that more than
100000 gallons are used IN this city
daily, one can appreciate the necessity
OF enforcing the laws governing the
same. At least ten dairies were forced
out OF business because they could not
afford 10 place their barns. milking
sheds, etc, in sanitary condition.
Many of the dairymen have resorted to
the courts 10 frustrate the efforts Of
the Health Department to compel them
10 seek other quarters or clean up
y
porsry delays by Injunction. but event
ually viii have TO seek other quarters
or have their permits TO sell milk re-
voked.
On q blackboard in the rooms Of the
Board OF Health are names OF the va
rious dairies and their rating. II the
public would arouse itself 10 a real
ization OF its danger and would inquire
about the dairy that supplies 1t with
milk, and II shown that the source Of
the supply was filthy dairy" with
drew its patronage. II would force the
dairymen 10 renewed activity in clean
ing I'D their dairies-
There are but two model dairies in
this section Of the State. One is the
sleepy Hollow" dairy. located IN Ma
rin County, and the other is the Ven
dome dairy. located IN Santa Clara
County. So perfect are the conditions
in both places that II is pleasure for
the health authorities to set them up
as shining examples Of what a dairy
should be. The men who handle the
milk are attired in white duck and are
supplied with clean cloths and brushes
TO wipe the cows udder before milking
They are directed 10 wash their hands
Immediately after grooming a COW and
before milking The bins and stalls
are clean and the odor is not offensive.
on the contrary. everything is fresh
and sweet smelling. and one could act
uslly live IN the barns and suffer no
discomfort
II viii take many years before the
dairies Of this city and vicinity will
compare with the places mentioned
This is due 10 the fact that dairymen
are siOw TO expend money in what they
deem TO be useless improvements They
argue that the general public does not
care how dirty the dairies may be so
long as the milk is delivered al nom
insl figure: and, If they were TO make
the necessary improvements and then
charge q higher price for their COM
modify, the patron would Immediately
become wroth and seek a dairyman