Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-04-27
Medical Inspection OF MIX Pro-
ducers.

A dairy farm score card must be in har-
mony with current knowledge of dairy
farm sanitation; otherwise il is worse than
useless. A score card that lags behind the
times does not give proper credit to the
farmer who is up to date, and it holds back
farmers who might otherwise advance.
These are the reasons, according to DR.. w. c.
Woodward, Health Officer of the District
of Columbia, who originated the score card
system, why the score card used by his
Department is modified from time to time.
The first change in the District score
card, made some years ago, increased the
allowance to cattle as an element in milk
production, making them count as much
as everything else on the dairy farm. Later,
increased allowances were given for the
small-top milking pail, for efficient cooling,
and for the sterilization of utensils and
cans. Now if dairy farmer has herd
that is free from tuberculosis as deter
mined by the tuberculin test and is free
from other diseases. and is clean, his cat
tie will score 100 points, which is as much
as the rest of the dairy farm scores. If
he uses the small-top milking pail. keeps
his milk properly cooled, and cleans and
sterilizes all milk utensils and cans, he is
entitled to 81 points out of the possible 100
allowed for the dairy farm itself, exclusive
of the cattle, no matter what the other
conditions on the farm may be. AS re-
suit of the most recent change. an allow
ance is now made for the medical super
vision of those persons on the dairy farm
who are engaged in the production and
handling Of the milk.
1t is well recognized fact that the most
dangerous thing on dairy farm is dis
eased mixer or other person who handles
milk. since it is from such persons that
typhoid fever, scarlet fever, septic sore
throat. and possibly other diseases. spread.
Carriers" and even mild cases of disease,
however. cannot be detected except by a
careful medical. supervision. and If an in
terested dairy farmer provides such super
vision. with a view to eliminating all who
endanger the milk supply. he should be
given credit for it. In order that such
credit may be given, the District score
card now allows points for the medical
inspection of mixers and others.
A contract with registered physician
requiring that physician to file with the
Health Officer at least once every six
months a certificate showing that the per
sons on the dairy farm under his super
vision are well, and authorizing the physi-
clan to inspect and supervise the health of
such persons. entities the dairy farm to |
point out of the three allowed. This credit
will be given upon filing with the Health
Officer of evidence of the existence of such
contract and will continue so long as the
required certificates are filed
Whether there be or be not contract
whereby a registered physician has general
supervision over health matters, dairy
farmer may at any time obtain 2 points
out Of the possible 8 by filing with the
Health Officer a certificate from licensed
physician showing that a medical examina-
ton has in fact been made, including lab
oratOry examinations to show the freedom
of mixers and others from typhoid fever,
and in the case of persons having chronic
coughs to show their freedom from tubercu-
losis. II the laboratory examinations be
omitted, half of point will be deducted
The 2 points or 1-2 points, thus allowed
will be credited to the farmer for period
Of three months II. however, the certifi-
cate be not renewed at the expiration of
that time. point will be deducted, and
after six months no credit will be given
unless new certificate has been filed. II
any disease liable to endanger the milk
supply occurs on the farm, the allowance
for any outstanding medical certificate
will be discontinued, but the point allowed
for continuous medical supervision will be
credited as usual
While no dairy farmer is required to
maintain medical supervision of those on
his farm who have to do with the milk
supply, DIR. Woodward hopes that by giving
actual numerical credit for the establish
ment and maintenance Of such supervis-
ion farmers may be induced to provide it.
Health Department of the District Of
Columbia. April 10. 1917.
Iu Matuoeia,n