Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-02-03

any certificate Of death unless all III
blanks are filled in or unless the certiicat
plainly Indicates that the missing informs
ton cannot be obtained.
Certificates will Ike returned for cor
rection in every case in which the cause O
death IL not given in sufficient detail "
that it may bc classified according to tn
international system. Mr.. Wells has beef
| appointed special agent Of the Census
Bureau to cooperate with the physician.
of the State in bringing about the rcquir
cd Improvement.
According to the bulletin, gratifying
progress is being made in the improve.
ment of the milk supply of the city Of
Wilmington, and all agencies arc cooper
ating to the fullest extent. In the past
| milk producers have not been required to
| have their herds tested with tubcrculin
and there has been no way of determining
whether or not the milk supply Of the city
was obtained from diseased cows. Since
the first of December, however, suf-
ticient number of tests have been made to
show that about one COW out Of every four
is tuberculous, in herds not previously
tested. Furthermore, some OF the herds
were so badly infected that many OF the
tuberculous cows were detected by a
casual physical examination, and when
the animals were slaughtered, it was found
that no part OF the carcass was tit Tor food,
even after cooking.
When we consider that tuberculosis is
transmitted to human beings by the use of
infected milk and that competent authori-
ties are now generally agreed that at least
% per cent of all cases of tuberculosis
among children is caused in this way, the
menace of diseased COWS is apparent. The
only remedy for conditions of this kind
lies In the pasteurization of all milk tina
does not come from tuberculin-tested
cows.
In addition to the question OF diseased
COWS it has been found that many OF the
milk bottling plants are not properly
equipped for the thorough cleansing and
sterilization of utensils and that the milk
is not properly handled In many other
ways. The health committee of the City
Council has therefore recommended the
adoption of up-to-date milk regulations,
and this move should have the hearty
support of every citizen. IL Is especially
that proper provision be made |
Tor adequate laboratory and inspection
service.
The State Board of Health heartily |
the proposed regulations and |
stands ready to cooperate IN every pos
sible way in this advanced health work by |
the city of Wilmington. Every other
In the State Is urged to give It's
citizens the same degree of protection
hat is contemplated for Wilmington, for
here is no question but what the proper
control of the milk supply of a community
Will do more than any other single factor
o lower the sick rate and the death rate
Imong infants, and the infant death rate IN
Delaware IS at least 25 per cent higher
han It should be.
The value of a strong, active, State
vide health organization In which can be
thought together representatives OF all
ealth and general welfare organizations,
physicians, school teachers, public Of
cials and other interested citizens for a
eneral conference regarding health activi-
es, has long been recognized. Ii is now
roposed that arrangements be made for
lch an organization, and the first con-
.rencc TO consider this matter will be
cid In the State House during the last
eek of February or the first week of
lareh. Watch the February Health
ews" for full details of the meeting. The
tate Board of Health will welcome sug-
stions from all interested persons.