New-York tribune., 1907-09-13
NATHAN STRAUS ON MILK.
Tells International Congress Benefits
of PasteurizatiOn.

Brussels Sept. 12-The second International Pure
MIX Congress was opened here to-day. with
large attendance Of eminent persons NJ. de Naux.
president Of the National League Of Belgium for
the Protection Of Infants presided The congress
viii discuss a number OF important questlohs re-
garding infant hygiene.
The American delegates include Nathan Straus'
of New York. who read paper to-day on The
American Solution OF the MIX Problem and DIT
Henry L. Colt of Newark. Mr.. Straus said in
part:
At the last Congress International des Gouttes de
I.ait l was a solitary voice from America declaring
that child life should be protected from mIectsd Tea
same message indorsed by the most distinguished
scientists OF my country and formally and olnclaLy
promulgated by the government OF the Inlteq
States Two years ago at the congress at faris
lives By the hundred thousand; to-day 1 have the
honor and satisfaction to report most 1nS[ana! a!
progress toward the acceptance by my country oA
the milk prOgramme then outlined.
While I persisted in warning against the use OF
raw milk. / provided paSteurtzed milk tor me
babies Of New YORK city Ihls was FeSius1 & ter srs
prise in the eyes of most people vas tnat II pr
nothing. Gradually however. as the infantle death
rate OF New York City went steadily down from
with the increased use OF pasteurized milk. the
signih.%nce OF my Work became 3pF ar H. s ras
milk was not its low cost. but the fact that the
While this demonstration was going on in New
York City. epidemics OF Infectious diseases in vari
chcPso we're t % directly and ndisp9taby raced to
the Of raw, infected milk, emphasizing the
urgent need for action. Scientific men, studying
the milk problem, were forced to decide that public
safety demanded pasteurization. and in notable
City Dr Ernest Iede4le former Gommissioner
of Health declared that pasteurization should be
insisted upon in all cases in which there was no
proof that the dairy herGs were free from tuber-
culosis.
Investigations by government experts made clear
the fact that the peril OF tuberculosis in milk
far greater aud far more frequent than had been
J Rosenau OF the Public Health Service. proved
that the advantages of pasteurzation far out
weighed the disadvantages. 4 there are any.
United States became so convinced OF the dangers
investigation of the whole problem with a view
10 legislation by the federal Congress. These steps
toward the protection Of the people and especially
entug of the public intelligence and n stirring OF
tho popular conscience.
In five American cities infant milk stations are
now maintained and are achieving remarkable
suits in reducing infantile mortality In New York
station to seventeen depots and the output pas
teurzed milk has Increased from $4,000 bottles in
4 total of at least $4,000 bottles and i.5O5 ooo
glasses IL already indicated for this year. In ad-
diton. more less efficient pasteurizaton Is being
done by dealers TO the extent of about 10000
New York adopted forward policy in setting
apart public funds for the building OF model milk
mcnt house districts but the city will depend upon
private philanthropy TO provide the supplies OF
In America, though the federal government Gas
indorscd our campaign for pasteurized milk sup
to make this policy effective by securing manda-
tory legislation ard by bringing health officers to
the point Of requiring the pasteurization of all
I from America this congress for the
sole purpose OF helping along work In which /
am deeply interested AS an evidence OF that fact
i stand ready % TO snpply posteurzing plants
places where the need OF one is pressing and
the means are lacking to provide it.