New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-21
TAKESFIRM MILK STAND
HEALTH BOARD REVERSAL
TO Insist on Thorough Inspection or
True Paafcuri.at.OR.

The Board OF Health held proiracted meet
ing yesterday which ended in q hurry cali on
DR. Biggs. the medical adviser Of the hoard, by
DR. Darlington. the Health Commissioner. 1t
was not intended that il should b known that
The board was considering the milk problem
YESTERDAY But such was the fact and the
board. contrary 70 its intention I'm the begin
ming. decided that ]; would really take A definite
stand on the question. and incidentally force
The hand Of the Board of Estimate and AppoT-
tionment.
Dr. Darlington called Tie attention of the
board 10 lie fact that unless his force OF dairy
inspectors was increased to make inspection OF
the general herds equivalent TO oertihcaton ne
would be compelled 10 lake a stand FOR pasteur-
lzstion OF All mix entering this city unless
there a guarantee 81 adequate inspection
The Health Comm ss.oner recognizes the stronS
sentiment IN favor 81 pssteurizatlcn OF the or
sinsry supply and Nil comply with il il he
cannot Eet thorough inspection in its place.
This inspection does not seem possible without
en- additional S25o0O0 arpropriati ton, and this
the financial authorities do NOT seem 10 be will
ing 10 give. Inspection of the kind that the
board wishes 20 make wiz be fully equivalent
20 the work now done by the County Medical
Society. il Is said. But Il takes money To make
thorough inspection possible. and that Is what
the Health Department lacks.
The department passed resolution yesterday
defining the line between true and commercial
pasteurizetion. The resolution demands that
all milk treated by the general pasteurizaiion
method shall he labelled 20 show whether true
Dissemination has been employed or net
Another resolution passed called for reports
from Ell dalries regarding the health Of the en-
ployes and of their families. II is tho intention
10 prevent even the possibility Of coHjaglon from
any source whatever. The latter resolution VIII
he enforced n the fun eXtert ~ the power Of the
board. and the 2asteurizalion pronuncianlent"
viii be treated IN The same WAY. The board has
no use for the commercial method. on the
ground that 1t does not kill tho most danger
Gus germs. II Eill not he enough under The new
ruling Of the department 20 mark milk as pas
feurized. II must be marked TO show WhelheF
commercial true TasteuriZation was eta-
ployed. so that the consumer may not ne de-
ceived.
And lust here comes IN the question Of nlu-
nicipal pasteurization plant The board has nor
the money, hut II its plan is carried out me
money viii have 70 be forthcoming. The city
must have certain quantity OF milk. II the
regular certified supply falls short, as II IS
pretty sure 10 Go. uncartifed milk will have 10
be brought in, and this VIII not be distributed
unless il is pasieuri8ed by the true method
The city viii have 10 do this. Private enter
rrise nav undertake IT, but this is doubtful. -
would raise The price too much. The Board Of
Health has almost given up hope Of getting az
fba nancy necessary 10 car Try on its work IN
proving The milk supply, but 50 far as poss he
The plsns Of the department viii not be allowed
20 halt for want OF The essential ammunition.
To clear the air DIR. Darlington issued this
statement last night:
The attitude Of the Board OF Health toward
the dissemination Of milk has apparently been
quite widely misunderstood. The following
statement, authorized by the board, seems de-
sirable:
The Beard OF Health has for many years ad-
: AOcaied in every possible way the boiling
pasteurization Of all milk. not certified. used in
the feeding Of infants during the summer
months. II has year after year. in every pos
nible way, through SIS summer corps Of medical
inspectors and nurses. and through tie distri-
button ~ thousands OF circulars Of information
on infant feeding in the tenement house dis
Hricts urgently advised and continues 10 advise
this procedure.
Several years ago extensive Investigations
were carried on in connection With the Rookie
Teller Institute for infectious diseases in tho
matter Of feeding Of infants in tenement houses
A result OF the educational work carried in
connection with milk is that many mothers in
the tenement house district have become faInil-
isr with its importance. that large portion
II them boil CT pssteurize the milk used IN feed
ing infants.
The department has done everything In its
power 10 extend the usefulness Of the Straus
milk depots: Furthermore. the department has
provided In its sanitary code for the sale OF pas
teuTized milk. and is prepared heartily 10
courage its