Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-06-10


The organization of milk commits
siOns in this country was an important
step toward the improvement OF the
quality of milk. While the number of
commissions is very limited and the
milk produced under tlfeir supervision
amounts to only fraction of one per
cent. of the 1O,O00,00O,000 quarts or
more of market milk annually con-
sumed, the great value of certified
milk to invalids and it's influence in
reducing the mortality among infants
and children are beyond estimation.
Further, the work of milk commits
sions has had no little influence in i'm
proving the general milk supply of
cities where such commissions exist,
by setting higher standard of quality
and by creating public sentiment in
favor of pure milk.
The beginning of this movement
dates back to 1890, when the Medical
Society of New Jersey made an effort
to improve the milk production in that
state. Little was accomplished until
1898, when a dairyman who was ready
to bind himself by contract to conduct
his dairy in accordance with the re-
quirements was found, and physicians
from Newark, Orange and Montclair
were chosen to make up the first milk
commission, and the production of
what is known as certified milk" was
begun. This commission was named
the Medical milk commission of Es-
sex county, New Jersey" Since this
was organized about % others have
been or are now being formed in vari-
Gus cities on a similar plan.
The term certified milk originated
with the member of the commission
who formulated the plan. At the in
stance OF the commission the word
certified was registered by Mr.. Fran
cisco in the United States patent Of
fee, the object being to protect it
from being degraded by dairymen not
under contract with medical COM
mission.
The prices of certified milk to the
customer vary in different cities from
eight to 20 cents quart, the average
price for all cities being about 12A
cents. The price of ordinary milk
varies from five cents to ten cents a
quart and averages about ~ cents
Certified milk therefore sells for an
average of five cents more per quart
than market milk. AS a rule, where
the price of market milk is low, the
price of certified milk is also compare
lively low. although this does not hold
true in all cases. In some cities diff
ferent prices are charged for certified
milk; for example, in New York this
product sells at prices varying from
II cents to 20 cents, while the price of
market milk is generally eight cents
per quart.
1t is the general practice in certi-
fed diaries to remove the manure at
least twice daily to the field, or to a
suitable pit some distance from the
stable. In the most carefully man
aged dairies the whole interior of the
stable is washed and scrubbed daily
with water containing washing COM
pound. Some use disinfectant in the
water once or twice week, as BIZ
Chord of mercury, carbolic acid, or
permanganate of potash.
The COWS are cleaned daily with cur
rycomb and brush. The udder and
parts in proximity to it are either
washed and wiped with a clean towel,
or are wiped with a damp cloth or
sponge. In many cases the .udder,
tanks, etc., are clipped periodically.
The custom is almost universal for
the mixers to be clad in freshly laun-
dered suits. Where the most extreme
care is taken, the clothing of each
mixer receives thorough cleansing
with boiling water after every milk
ing, and is then locked in an indi-
vidual alright drying room, where it
is sterilized and dried by steam, re-
naming there until wanted for use.
Before putting on their special suits.
mixers are required to wash their
hands and faces and clean their nails.
AT least one producer requires that
before the mixer commences his
work he shall take shower bath, pro-
vision for which is made in rooms ad-
joining the laundry. When ready for
milking the mixer is supplied with
pail and a stool. both of which have