Newark post., 1913-07-02
MILK SUPPLY TESTED
Improving The Health Condi-
tons Of The State

| OF the State Board OF Health mas
been engaged III thorough test OF
the milk supply of the State OF
Delaware. This investigation will
be continued even more rigidly IN
the future. DR.. Watson's state
ment follows:
After an extended inspection by
orders Of the State Board of Health
the milk supply Of Delaware was
found to be in fair condition. Sam
pies were taken from the supplies
Of almost all the towns throughout
the state. NIilford's supply was
found to be the best while the con-
dition Of New Castles supply the
worst. Six of the seven samples
from the New Castle supply were
not up to the requirements. The
number of bacteria per cubic CEN
timeter in several samples of this
supply was far above the Federal
standard. One milkman s clothing
would stand alone from dirt caked
on his pants.
Several Of the town supplies i'm
mediately introduced bottles and
new wagons after the first inspec-
ton and a much better milk was
being delivered before the second
inspection.
The results Of these inspections
will be used to guide the prosecu-
tions that will have to be made if
there is not Improvement i'll some
Of the supplies tested last year.
Few dealers realize that so to 100
dollars fine for the adding of a
small quantity Of water, skimming
of the milk, the preservation OF
milk with preservatives, dirty
milk or milk showing too high a
count Of bacteria, hangs over their
heads. Some milk-dealers are COM
IpleteIy ignorant as to this fine and
believe no law exists that could
reach them in their tampering with
the public milk supply.
Few of the citizens Of our State
realize the Importance Of the milk
supply. The best food for the cul-
tivation of bacteria is milk. it will
grow any form Of pathogenic or
ganism luxurantly. With the aid
Of the people who should demand
cleaner clothes, cans, bottles, hands
and milk from the milk man, the
public supply would show decided
Improvement AT once.
The inspection this year will be
more vigorous than the one con-
Quoted last year. Besides the chem
! ical examination, the sanitary con-
dition of the source Of the supply
will be undertaken and if not sat
isfactory shall be prohibited from
serving.
Milk not under Il per cent of
milk solids; not under 3 per cent
butter fat; a specific gravity be-
tween 1929 and 1893; not over
100000 bacteria per cubic cent?
meter shall be expected and prose
cutions will be made if the milk
does not answer these tests. Pre-
servatives in no form will be per-
mitted to be used.
The high count Of bacteria in this
State is due to carelessness in milk
ing and handling, lack of cooling,
adding Of water and not properly
washing of the cans and bottles
The use of boiling water containing
a small quantity Of sal soda should
be used on all utensils and bottles
and then rinsed with boiling water
as pump water is liable to be pol
luted. Milk should be stored at not
less than so degrees f.
In the pasteurization or steriliz
alton Of milk for infant feeding
the temperature should not exceed
155 degrees F. for at least 20 min
utes.
With the hearty cooperation Of
the people by urging their mill
man for a clean supply and a LITTLE
inspection of your own. | believ'
with examinations made by th'
State Laboratory the milk mus
show a better record than it ha'
held for many years.