Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1917-06-01
SERIOUS SITUATION
". |. DOdd Says Putnam Citizens Face
Milk Supply Problem
Expert Also Says Milk Station Is Needed

/ the remarks of w. l.. Dodd, laboratory
expert, who has been in Putnam exam
lining milk and water supplies as part
OF the health survey, when he spoke
on the Putnam milk situation at the
Chambe of Commerce Rooms Satur-
day evening. Undoubtedly those pre-
sent learned much that previously
they had no conception of, and some of
certainly we'll worth considering with
great care.
Mr.. Dodd explained in opening his
talk, that there is milk question, be-
cause milk may be dangerous to pub
lie health. He also said that at pres.
cnt the milk situation has an economic
viewpoint to be considered. To Illus
trate this Mr.. Dodd stated that one
pint of milk can be purchased for
about four cents. Comparing this
milk with four eggs, 3-l0ths of a pound
of ham, or 2-5ths pound of pork chops,
one finds that the four foods all give
to the body the same amount of heat,
warmth and energy, but the milk
costs only one-fourth as much as the
others.
In speaking of disease in milk, Mr..
Dodd said, eight per cent. of raw
milk contains live tubercular germs.
If you offered man two glasses of
milk, saying one contained live germs
which probably would not cause dis
ease, but that he could have the milk
for eight cents because there WAS a
possibility that it might; or offered
him the other glass saying that it was
free from tubercular germs, but cost
ten cents, no doubt but he would take
the latter milk"
Mr.. Dodd explained that per cent
of adult tuberculosis is derived from
the cow, and in children under five,
about 25 per cent get tuberculosis from
cows. He also said that autopsies on
bodies show that 80 per cent of the
population have had tuberculosis at
some time.
"Regarding other Diseases contin-
ued the speaker, 81 estimate that dur
ing the coming yearffn Putnam that
20 people handling milk will be apt to
infect it with diphtheria germs, and AZ
people with typhoid.
"The remedy is pasteurization. All
milk should also be graded and labelled
to show its sanitary character, nutri-
tive value, age and whetheri it has been
pasteurized or not. Clean milk is of
economic value"
bottle OF Putnam milk three days old,
of low germ count, which was still
fresh, while other bottles of high germ
count, though only two days old, ,were
completely ur.
The speaker said that clean milk
costs money TO produce and should
command higher price. "You can t
expect to buy clean milk at the same
price rs dirty milk" said Mr.. Dodd,
"any more than you can expect mer-
chant to sell you S25 suit for So"
Mr.. Dodd at this point suggested
that a committee be appointed to con-
suit with farmers relative to Putnam's
milk situation. He then began on the
most important and most startling
part of his address:
"Putnam people may soon face the
problem of, not what they will pay for
at any price From personal talks
with farmers | find that at least 20
per cent within the next few months
are retiring from business. They are
retiring, as fast as they can dispose of
their stock. They cannot make pro.
fit on milk. 1t costs the farmer about
nine cents to put his. milk at the con-
sumer's door, and in return he receives
only from to 8 cents.
1.-THE first step in the solution of the
problem is the publishing of the bacte-
ria count and butter fat content of
milk from the different diaries. Par
tial arrangements have already been
m AIDE whereby Putnam's milk supply
can be tested locally at very little ex-
pense.
uPutnam should then have milk
station for pasteurizing the milk and
making the surplus into butter or ice
cream. Such station would do all
the book keeping for the farmer, and
show whether his cows were making
him profit or not. The consumer on
the other hand would get clean, safe
graded milk, since all milk purchased
by the station would be paid for on a
strictly merit basis"
In conclusion Mr.. Dodd expressed
his thanks to Putnam for the very
courteous treatment which had been