The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-11
Distinguished Physicians
and Other Citizens Re-
spond to Call.
Gen. Sternberg Chairman
of Body, DR.. Wiley a
Vice Chairman.

Washington has a milk commission
whose work in the field of research to
procure a milk supply free from germs
that carry typhoid. scarlet fever. diph-
liberia, tuberculosis. and other infectious
diseases, which gives promise of becom-
ing an authority of national and inter
national fame.
This commission was launched on its
important work yesterday afternoon.
when one of the most representative
bodies OF scientists, physicians, edu-
Gators. and lawyers that ever assembled
in the city met in the board room OF
the District building at the invitation
OF the Board Of Commissioners to con-
slider the subject OF the milk supply Of
Washington.
Commissioners AIacfarland. West, and
BidGle met them, Commissioner Mac
farland extending a welcome and outlin-
ing the work that they had been In
vited to consider. After this the Com
missioners retired, and the body formed
a temporary organization, DIR. W. c.
woodward conducting the preliminaries.
Capt James F. oyster. president Of
the Business Mems Association, and DR..
George NJ. KOber. professor Of hygiene
In the medical department OF George
town University, were nominated for
the position OF temporary chairman.
Both declined the honor. Gen, George
n. Sternberg was elected temporary
chairman. Or. Woodward was elected
temporary secretary.
Dangers Of Impure Milk.
General Sternberg was the first speak
er. he said it is a matter Of general
information and has been demonstrated
beyond a doub. that impure milk, infect
ed with disease germs, is responsible
Tor many cases of typhoid, scarlet fe-
yer. diphtheria, and other contagious
diseases; that the alarming infant nor
tally prevalent in the hot months IS
due largely to impure mix: that one
OF the greatest troubles in securing
pure milk is that it is not properly
handled after it leaves the dairy. its
temperature being kept too high. result
ing in the propagation Of disease germs
that carry death after their consump-
ton.
lie touched upon pasteurization, ster-
lizing, and other forms OF milk treat
ment and said that II milk fed TO in
fants was heated to 70 degrees Il
would destroy all milk germs He
thought that some. plan should be de-
vised for the destruction OF germs, care
OF milk from dairy TO consumer and
some medium 10 keep II cool in transit
from diaries, at the distributing point
and in the homes. thus preventing the
breeding of germs usually found in all
milk. He thought that another plan
that would be productive of pure milk
would be TO keep the milk at from IS 10
20 degrees from the time 10 left the
COW until it reached the consumer.
DR.. George NJ. KobeT urged that the
milk commission devote much OF its
attention to devising legislation that
will give to the District a purer milk
supply. While be said the milk that
comes TO Washington needs closer
scrutiny as to its purity, he said he did
not mean by that that the supply here
was any worse that in other cities, but.
on the other hand, he said that Wash
ington's supply was better than that of
many cities He said that typhoid germs
did not come directly from the COW,
but had their origin in milk from care