South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-06
Safety First
ny WOODS HUTCHINSON. NJ. d

By WOODS HUTCHINSON. NJ ID
The constantly increasing finick-
ness or the general public in regard
TO the manner in which it's food
stuffs are handled and prepared.
and its equally increasing dislike for
the painfully simple methods of
the good old days" is most en-
inently justified. The old oaken
bucket may have been very pic
turesque, and made excellent mate
rial for rhapsodical poems. out If
the we'll in which it hung was
placed between the barn and the
house, and it generally was, it
meant that it was in most ideal
place for the sewage from both to
drain into il.
Those idyllic pictures Of the
country farm at milking time. ling
er long in the memory. The cows
peacefully eating hay which had
just been tossed down for them.
and swishing flies. mosquitoes ct al.
with their tails during the time they
were being MIXED by sturdy farm
ers just in from a long days toll
in the fields, was truly a beautiful
scene. if not regarded from a san
itary point Of view.
From that viewpoint. however. IL
was far from lovely, for little if any
attempt was made to screen the
milk from the showers OF hayseed
and dust made by the hay that had
just been thrown down; each whisk
OF the cows tail sent its quota of
caked mud into the air, and the
farmers. even when their hands
were covered with dirt from the
fields seldom even thought of wash
ing them. If any attempt was made
at cleaning up before milking, il
was by bringing down the milk
pail half full of water. in which the
farmer washed his hands and the
cows udders vigorously, emptied
the bucket. and, without further
ado, proceeded 10 milk into it, with
clear conscience and a sense OF
duty done. However well meaning
these efforts towards cleanliness
may have been, they were about
as effective as those of one lanky
but we'll intentioned country youth
of the old school OF hygiene.
He had become acquainted one
summer with a boy from the city,
who. on short acquaintance. speed
/ lily explained to this youth that
| hygiene was to be found elsewhere
than in the dictionary. One point
| that seemed to stick in his mind
! was the danger OF contamination OF
the ordinary drinking cup. This
/ greatly impressed the country lad
and ever after, when the two OF
them had to use the same cup. the
youngster would. after taking hi;
drink of water, carefully wipe OF
| the cup on some portion OF his raj
ment. preferably the seat OF hi:
trousers and then gravely pass i
on to the boy from the city.
This latter, appreciating the in
tentions of the other more than th'
precise application made OF them
would generally manage 10 quietly
rinse the cup before using it, bu
upon occasions where this was i'm
possible his sensa tons upon drink
ing out Of that cup can be bette
imagined than described.
Dairy farms run on this safn'
principle, most fortunately steadil,
on the decline. The crack moderl
dairy farm is as spic and span will
white paint, enamel. and glaze
brick, as II it were a giorifed bath
room or a hospital ward. The well
are carefully placed. the sewage
thoroughly disposed OF. all the win
dows are screened, the health o
every one OF the employees Is con
sIdered Of paramount Importance
J the mixers are dressed in white
and everything is done in wa
that is a delight 10 the soul OF
sanitarian.
Al .hla Be- Mt rrnerelw shnN- q