The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-03-27
REFUSE To NAME DIARIES

nation / could on the subject anG
to condemn the system of milk anC
meat as a whole; to show the de
ficiencies or negligence, and could
convince them that the milk was
dirty and infected appealed tC
their influences. but all in vain
One member said something about
cheap advertisement. 1t savored d
little of sarcasm, but he said the
remark did not imply any insinua
ton.
Health Officer Grieve stated the
milk was regularly tested by the
bacteriologist. He admitted, how
ever, the milk was never tested for
bacteria.
This Is the result of my short
visit to the board of health, during
which time | was reminded several
times that my presence was nc
longer desired inasmuch as they
had no jurisdiction whatsoever in
the matter. Pity that men hold.
ing such prominent positions have
no authority or influence over milk
or meat sold In Spokane, on the
purity Of which the lives of hun
Ireds of children depend.
81 maintain that upon the shout.
ders of our city officials are vari.
GUS and sacred obligations, and not
the least of them is the supply OF
pure and wholesome milk and
meat, and that it certainly is their
duty to bring within the reach OF
every mother milk free from dis.
ease germs. The failure to act
may be characterized as barberous
If not criminal. Indifference. We
will not be satisfied when we know
that little babes at the mercy OF
adults are fed daily with milk
swarming with millions of living
germs.
"Our dairy inspector told me in
answer to a question that prob
ably 40 per cent of the dairy COWS
in the vicinity would be condemn
ed If tested. The United States
department gives from their vari-
GUS tests 10 &c the minimum and
80 as the maximum.
Our health officer claims our
milk free from chemicals, but what
about the precipitated dirt we see
after few hours standing in our
milk? The United States public
hospital and marine service reports
that the foreign matter (dirD found
in milk when examined under a
microscope was found to consist OF
COW feces, hair, epethetical and
other cells, straw, bacteria and
other eXtraneous matter.
Mr.. Flood, Of the Broadview
dairy, says that some diaries
would he wipe out entirely if test.
ed. What is said here implies also
to the private family cows not only
here but throughout the state and
every other place where the san.
itary laws are deficient"
Dr. Grieve says Richards as.
sumptions are entirely unjustitied
by what actually occurred. He
says Richards insisted on discuss.
ing chemical examinations for tn,
berculosis. 1t was explained to
him that the board was unable to
take up this phase of the matter
having no facilities for making
such tests nor men competent To
do the work. What the board
wanted, according to DR.. Grieve
was an explicit statement of the
names of the dariies alleged to be
selling milk from dirty and dis.
eased cattle in order that proceed.
ings might be commenced to force
them to clean up.
The official report of the Rich.
ards incident appearing on the rec.
orjs OF the health department Is
that the charges were dismissed
when Richards failed to substan.
tiate them with any names.
To-day l.. w Hansen and City In.
spector Reinwald went out to Coe
g. Richards Office Tor the purpose
of obtaining the locations of dairies
complained against by the veterin,
aries, The latter refused to fur,
nish this information, feeling sore
over the unwelcome reception they
claim to have received from the
board last night. They will fur.
nish IL, however, they say. when
the board agrees to take the matter
up in the manner they wish.