The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-03
MONTHLY REPORT
 ON MEAT AND MILK

City BacterioIogist Duncan has made his monthly report, which in part was as follows:
 Hon. Frank P. o'Brien. Mayor, City
 Dear Sir-I herewith submit my re- port for the month of June, 1909:
 Meat Inspection-Locally slaughtered animals inspected: Cattle, 330 hogs.
 s14 sheep, 174; veal, IS; kids, ?. Total,
 S33.
 Animals Inspected on Streets and in Markets-Cattle, 16; hogs, IS; sheep, 37; veal, 3S1; kids, 5S. Total, 300. Western Animals Inspected-Cattle,
 1Os7; hogs, 1s4; sheep, 6S9; veal. ST.
 Total. 2O64.
 Total Number Animals Inspected Cattle, 1443; hogs, 518; sheep, 900
 veal, 4S1; kids, 5o. Grand total. 33s7
 Other fresh meats inspected, western
 (not included In the above number of animals), 325, 324 pounds.
 Total number of microscopic disease
 tests, 23s
 During a month total of 107 sam ples of milk and cream, collected from the different sources of supply, were tested for the specific gravity, the per | cent of fat, the total solids and so on. | All of these samples showed fairly | satisfactory results.
 ] A total of 31 samples of milk and cream brought in by dairymen and 1 different citizens of the city were also | examined for their special informa- | ton.
 BacteriologIcal examinations were
 made of 9S samples of milk and cream
 collected from the different sources of i supply. As @ whole these examinations l showed very satisfactory results. 1 Whenever count shows a result of
 over 500,O00 bacteria per cubic centi-
 meter, a special investigation Is made
 In each instance. as to the temperature
 at which the milk Is delivered, the
 methods employed In cooling the milk,
 also the methods employed in cleans l ing the various dairy utensils, the
 cleanliness of the cows udders, and so l on, so as to have the trouble remedied.
 Age and a high temperature are the l two factors which contribute most
 largely to a high bacterial count. al l though the original contamination, re- 1 sulting from poor and careless meth ods employed in the production and hand | ling of the milk, will greatly influence | the result.
 | During such warm weather each | dairyman must exercise special care in
 seeing that his milk is properly cooled.
 ana that the lowest possible tempera- ture Is maintained until the milk Is | delivered to the customer, and for this
  | ice be used. When the milk Is re- | ceived by the customers 1t should be | placed on Ice i:l the refrigerator i'm mediately and kept there until ready l for use but not in the same compart-
 ment with meats, vegetables and other foods supplies usually kept in such
 places. If milk does not receive this | special care 1t will many times be un- | fit for use.
 Ro
 made of Is samples of city hydrant wa ter collected from different locations,
 which examinations showed very satis- factory results.
 In the inspection of the dairies the standard score card Is used. This card Is divided into two main headings. equipment and methods, counting 40 and 60 points or per cent, respectively,
 for perfect. The card is furth CT divided into various sub-h headings. which are assigned specified numerical values; covering all of the important points in properly equipped dairy and facil- tiles for producing and handling milk in a sanitary manner.
 During the month it was necessary for the department to serve legal writ ten notice on three dairymen, w. T. Tanner, l. l.. Logan and Oslesby Bros, to make improvements In the sanitary conditions of tn cir dairies and premises. These daires have been revisited and it was found that these improvements are being made, and within few days these dares will be In an acceptable condition.
 Since Avondale and East Birmin sh a m have become a part of the city of
 Birmingham, the department has taken
 up the work of inspection in the ter ritorN included, with the aim of get ting the dairies In proper shape, sell ing milk in these places. It will tako good deal of work to get some of these daires in proper shape. Wh en a dairyman situated outside of Jefferson county proposes to dispose of his dairy products in this city the law requires the owners of such dairies to furnish the city meat and milk inspec- tor with a certificate of a qualified vet erinarian to the effect that he has made a thorough examination and that the said dairy herd is free from any and all diseases that would in any manner affect the healthfulness and wholesomness of the milk produced That the dairy barn is properly con structed, located. lighted, ventilate ed and drained. That the water supply from the dairy and herd Is pure and wholesome. That the said dairy has a satisfactory milk house, and the other necessary equipment and facilities for the production and handling of milk in sanitary manner. The said cer- tificate must be sworn to as to its cor rectness before some one qualified to administse oAths. PvuA-