The Washington herald., 1907-04-11
CONFER ABOUT MILK
Advisory Experts Organize
for Practical Results.
THREE COMMITTEES NAMED
VIII Investigate Sanitation of Pro-
ductiOn and SuppIy-Infant Feeding
and Commercial Aspect OF Subject.
Gen. sfernberg ana DIR. Wiley Make
Addresses on Milk and Disease.

BY effecting a permanent organization
and the appointment of committees TO
consider the problem from a sanitary.
commercial. and administrative stand
point, the members of the conference
invited by the Commissioners TO investi-
gate the relation of the milk supply TO
the prevalence Of typhoid fever and other
diseases. yesterday took the initial steps
in the solving of a problem the solution
of which viii work to the material ad-
vantage of every resident within the Dis
trict of Columbia.
In the board room of the District build
ing were assembled prominent representa-
tives Of the medical and legal professions,
business men, scientists, and bacteriolo-
gists, Following the address of Commits
sloner Maefarland. the committee or
ganized by the election Of chairman, Gen.
George NJ. Sternberg; first vice chairman,
DR.. George NJ. Kober; second vice chair
man, DR., Harvey W. Wiley, and secre-
tary. w. c. Woodward.
Committees Are Appointed.
The following committees were ap-
pointed;
Committee to report upon the sanitary
aspects of milk production and supply
DR.. George NJ. Kober. chairman; Drs
Melvin and Mohler and Mr.. Webster, Of
the Agricultural Department; Dr Rose
nau, of the Marine Hospital Service; Dr.
Mason, of the Army; DIR. Magruder, Col
r. G. Smith, and Mr. Berliner.
Committee TO report upon the milk
production and supply with reference to
infant feeding-Prof. II. W. Wiley, of the
Department Of Agriculture, chairman;
Gen. Walter Wyman. Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service; Gen, Sternberg.
Dr. Sutt, of the Navy; Dr. Hickling, Dr.
SpTigg, and DR.. Woodward
Committee TO report upon the CONNER
cial aspects If milk production and sup
ply-GeOrge NJ Oyster. tr. chairman. MT.
Farquhar, John Thomas, Capt. Newbold.
and DR.. Davis.
William F. Mattingly was appointed
chairman OF the committee to report upon
the supervision and control of milk pro-
ducuon and supply from an administra-
tive standpoint, The members of this
committeee win be named later.
With the growth of the population
here as elsewhere the milk question has
become more serious and difficult Other
cities are making special efforts al this
time 70 cope with 1t. We want to be at
the front in this as ia all other munich
pal matters, especially those which affect
the health Of the people. Therefore. We
are seeking further counsel from YOU
The Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service, the highest O;cial health author
ity of the United States in It's first re-
port Of the investigation, begun al the
request of the, Commissioners last June.
and sul in progress, respecting the
typhoid fever question. stated that 10 Der
cent Of the cases were traceable 70 the
milk supply. We are told that milk car
ries other diseases besides typhoid fever,
notably tuberculosis We feel strongly
that everything possible must be done 10
improve the conditions under which milk
is produced and sold"
Suggests Public Milk Depot.
In stating the purpose of the confer
cnce, Gen. Sternberg said that It had
been demonstrated beyond doubt that
typhoid fever as well as other diseases.
originated III part from impure milk; that
the alarming infant mortality in summer
is due 10 the same source, and that one
of the greatest difficulties in securing pure
milk is that it is not properly handled
he touched upon Pasteurizati0u. steriliza-
ton, and other forms of treatment, stat
ing that II the milk were heated TO 20
degrees centigrade it would destroy all
germs.
The establishment of a central depot for
the distribution of milk. and legislation
requiring the railroad companies to pro-
vide refrigerator cars, was discussed by
Dr.. George NJ Kober. II such depot. he
said, can not be built by public funds, il
should be erected by the dealers to whom
1t will prove an advantage in obtaining a
pure grade of milk
DR.. Wiley treated the subject from the
standpoint Of the milk supply Of infants.
Take care of the babies" he said, "and
the men and women can take care of
themselves If pure milk can be obtained.
the percentage Of infant mortality VIII be
greatly reduced. 1t is better that we pay
an increased price for the product than
suffer annually the loss of thousands.
every one of whom is worth 100000 to the
Parents should Feed Pure MILK.
DR.. Wiley urged that support be given
the health officer in his efforts to secure
m improvement IN the milk supply. say
ng that the questions to be considered are
whether the COWS are in a healthy condi-
ton. sanitary condition of the dairies.
care by, the dealers. and
proper care OF the product after il reaches
The consumer. Many evils, he said. re-
suited in improper care Of the product
after reaching the homes. ana he advo-
;ated legislation making it a misdemeanor
ln the part of parents or others to give
any but pure, certified milk to a child.
DR.. G. Lloyd Magruder said that il will
be the endeavOr Of the committee to edu-
'ate the community in the proper care of
milk, but that legislation viii also be re-
Iuired in dealing with certain phases of
he subject Remarks relative to the sub
ect We're made also by Z. II. Webster
chief OF the dairy division of the Depart !
nent OF Agriculture. and Dr. Percy Hick-
ing, chairman Of the committee on the
prevention Of consumption, Associated |
Charities
Although not a member Of the commit /
lee, ". H. Saunders, real estate man.
ly permission of Gen Sternberg. ad- /
dressed the members in behalf of the pro- /
lucers, urging that they be considered in /
my recommendations that may be made
'eoucing the profits on the commodity