Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-12


 agoyernor, dairy and food commissioner Frank H. Stadtmuellcr takes up the question of inspection of dairies, sub mitting a list of cities in which Nor Wfch is shown to have irregular in- spection of dairies, Willimantic none, times q year. Ansonia is another place where there is no inspection
 He advises that dairy inspection in Norwich and WiIlinlantic should be made at least monthly.
 On the subject of dairy inspection he has the following to say.
 Pure Milk important.
 Milk is one of the most important foods, and it's purity and wholesome Experience has clearly demonstrated that inspection of dairies and COW stables is an indispensable function for the control of milk supplies, a. prin- ciple now officially recognized by chap ter 137. Public Acts of 1907, as amend ed by chapter 1S9, Public Acts of 1911. and sundry city ordinances. The inn portance of the work is further eIn- phasized by the testimony of those now entrusted with the task. Inspections are now made by any of the follow ing: City milk inspectors, health of ficers, agents of milk companies, creameries. etc, and inspectors from the dairy and food department, any of these usually acting independently of the others.
 His report of the way inspections are carried out is made from answers sent him by some of the above officers.
 This evidence is further supported by the e1fectual work performed by the cooperation of local health officers with the state oacterioiogIcal la,bors- tory whereby numerous cases of de- fective milk have been detected, and the latter class of offenders success fully prosecuted through this office.
 Whereas the activities thus reviewed have accomplished much, nevertheless the method fin which the work has de- veloped has created undesirable condi- tions. Inasmuch as 1t has been the outcome of individual action by each city as the need thereof was recognized the development has not been system atic, not properly co-ordinated and has resulted in an inevitable multiplicity of standards and excessive costs.
 There are at present over twelve standards used, and, although it Is conceivable that quite a variety of standards are suitable, still it is equal ly true that a multiplicity thereof fails to arouse and stimulate producers and dealers with the degree of respect and confidence obviously essential to the attainment of maximum efficiency at minimum expense. Furthermore, exist ing methods are wasteful, involving as they do cTiSscrossiag by Inspectors. Probably all dairies and stables. other than those supplying creameries, are now inspected some time CT other, but it is plain that several inspectors rep resenting different cities or interests, may operate in q given locality, ac- cording to the opportunities of disposal abounding therein.
 Standardized inspection.
 The time has arrived, or is near, when this work should be standardized and more economic and efficient ad- ministration thereof be inaugurated. The most direct way of achieving this is by centralizing the inspection work in one bureau. For this purpose one of three existing state departments would d0 viz, the state board of health, commissioner of domestic ani- mals, or dairy and food commissioner. Whereas the administration of the work probably would be effective and satisfactory under the direction of any of these 1t is presumably true that jul risdicton by either of the latter off, cials would prove more acceptable be- ing thus liable to devolve upon men possessing greater smpath and kuowI- edge regarding the economics Of milk production and the amount of super vision permissible are the cost of car- rying out instructions, etc., would be greater than the benefits derivable
 
 this department is deemed desirable, statutory changes will be necessary. Although standardization would nlateri- ally reduce the total cost now involved and allow local inspectors to devote their time to the care of milk after it reaches the cities, unfortunately, such action cannot be successfully ur1- dertaken without increasing the bur- dens of the state. Inspections are now made by twenty-five or moro inspec- tors, not including those made by health officers. There are at present, approximately. 10000 COW stables in the state. It is variously estimated that from ten to thirty can be prop erly inspected daily by one inspector Bearing in mind that the work is largely of a cooperative and educa- tional nature daily average of twen- ty may, perhaps, be attained. On this basis. four inspectors would be re- quired to cover the state once a year The expense thus incurred should not exceed 900 per annum. S3,000 of the annual allotment now made to this department is tentatlYNly assigned to dairy inspection. Consequently, on the basis above given, standardization of the work in this office would nc FNSsitate an increased annual appropriation of 5000.
 Viewed in the light of the testimony given regarding the frequency with A HIGH lllSpGtl1OuE SIlOulu D0 U10uS, they would be inadequate as provided by the foregoing estimate and larger appropriation appears necessary. How ever, certain factors ariSe in opposi- ton to such a view. First. much of the inspection work is in an evolution ary stage; second an indefinite num- Der of stables, etc, will not require annual inspection after the initial in spection; third. the number of dAiries and stables will probably decrease, al- though the number of cows may in crease: fourth, due allowance should be made for the effect of the law of seif-preservation likely to assert itself when estimates are formulated regard ing the needs of any particular work, that is, the suaconscious efforts to en- phasize the importance of a task in order to secure pernanence thereof should not be overlooked. For these reasons, although the estimate made may prove to be inadequate, it is abundant for the further unfolding of the dairy and stable fneDectiO11 work