The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-02

GENERAL CLUE NOTES.
Helen Guthrie Miller. chairman OF
the pure food committee in the legis-
lative department of the General Fed
Grafton, contributes the following let
| ter to the February number of the
Federation Bulletin, which viii be of
interest to the Kansas clubs. which are
giving this subject some attention now
that pure food and drug bills have
been introduced in the state legisla-
ture:
The national pure food bill. for
which We labored last year, is an &C
eomplished fact 1t is now known and
| referred TO on the statute books as the
Food and Drug Act, June 80. 1906.
and 1t went into effect January l. 1907
| To the buyer Of food it guarantees
the true label on bottle, can, and other
| package, and the absence of preserva-
tives and coloring matters that have
Deen declared injurious; while, for the
Information of the buyers of medicine,
| II requires on the label statement as
TO the amount of dangerous and habit
forming drugs that the compound
may contain Meat inspection can be
obtained by any abattoir with an &C
eompanying certificate that allows the
meat to be sold outside of the state in
which 1t vas produced. DR.. BigeIow,
or the bureau of chemistry is of the
opinion that ii is the strongest and
most complete national food law in ex-
1stence, and already the compliance
with its provisions on the part of man
ufacturers has been very general
The food and drug act, like most of
our national laws, cannot interfere
with the right of the sovereign states
10 regulate commerce within their
own borders but foods and drugs are
produces them More and more the
manufacturer looks to the whole coun--
try for his market, hence his willing
ness to conform his processes and his
4 Ia .cTE 70 -.
law which regulates interstate COM
MERGE
Since the national inspectors will
work in close accord with state author
tiles, Il Is matter of first Importance
that the state laws shall be uniform
with the national law.
The national law has lifted a great
burden from the buyer. It remains
for US now to read our labels with
care and to cultivate discernment as to
the quality and flavor of different
brands of food. We must also keep
up our interest in the question by not
ing the enforcement of the law and the
Interpretation of its provisions as cases
come up for trial, and especially
should we note on what points the
United States law comes in conflict
with the law of our own state
In asking for improvements in these
state laws or for amendments or addi-
tional appropriations for the national
law. the help of women's organizations
viii again be of value.
Your committee recommends that
the work of women Interested in pure
food should be directed for the next
two years to the improvement of:
L The milk supply ?. The sanitary
condition of markets and provision
While great improvements have
taken place in certain localities, II
must be said that the laws governing
milk and market Inspection are in gem
a -s2 AL
forced, and principally for the reason
that they are not supported by intel
ligent public opinion. It is the privi-
lege Of women to help in the education
standards held by the general public,
no permanent Improvement will be
seem
We earnestly advise the following
method Of procedure for the current
year: the holding of meetings that
shall be addressed by health officers,
milk inspectors. physicians. nurses,
dairymen, or any others who have
knowledge OF the subject. the talks to
cover such subjects as the nutritive
value OF milk. especially for the child;
milk production at the farm. with the
details of milking. cooling and shipping;
the sources CT pollution; milk distribu
ton; the journey to the consumer by
rail or wagon; the good and bad milk
container; the care Of milk after it
reaches the consumer; the law and its
enforcement.
You will be almost sure to find in
your community, health officer. ply
stefan. or nurse, who knows lust what
steps 10 take to Improve the local milk
supply. 1t is such a one whose hands
you must uphold. or. failing to have a
leader. you should yourselves organize
and demand better laws and their en-
forcement-
Mr.. Lane. of the bureau of animal
industry, tells US that the most feasible
way TO improve the milk supply is to
inspect and grade the dairy farms.
publishing the names of those that
reach a high grade.
For the season of 1e07-os the COM
Tnittee expect to offer detailed sugges-
tons as to market inspection
For personal or for club study. your
com mittee would recommend the fol-
lowing:
United States Bulletins. Nos 8. 90.
A. So and "A. all on milk: THE Clean
Milk Campaign in Maryland" in Char
tiles and the Commons. August f.
1906: MIX" Charles Harrington. NJ.
D.. Health Education league, Boston.
Mass.
HELEN GUTHRIE MILLER.
Chairman.