New Britain herald., 1927-07-02
HUNTING THE GERM |A7 SODA FOUNTAINS
Health Dept. Inspectors Continu.
 ally in Search of Dirt

Above nearly every soda fountain and lunch counter in the city and certainly on the premises somewhere is an unobtrusiye placard which pro- claims to the casual observer that the place has been inspected and has been found to be in excellent, good, fair or poor ,anitary> condition. Usually 1t Is one of the first two named. it is seldom only flair" and those which rate the ignominty of poor" are not long in this class. They either come up to higher rat ings or they are cleaned out by city authorities.
 The placards are issued by the To- cal board of health and by no means are they sent through the mail upon receiving filled blank. The ratings of the soda fountains and restaurants are the results of careful examina- tion by departmental inspectors.
 Watching an inspection of one of the employees of the board of health is interesting. Usually they make surprise visits before the employees
 
 time to scurry around cleaning up. The agent drops in and shows his credentials. unlimbers a hashlight and goes to work.
 It is novel exhibition of the art of dirt finding. The men used on OTIS during a spring house cleaning. No place is too hidden for the eagle eye of the board of health man. With the aid of his flash, he usually un- covers all that is hidden to the public eye.
 Although an instrument used on q soda fountain might be shining and spotless, it is his nimble hands which take the thing apart and show places that could harbor dirt and whichNare in need of cleaning. Un- der the fountain where the atten- dant has been sweeping refuse. he goes. Hands and knees are brought into use in his work of seeking out the dirty places.
 There is no bully agging" con- nected with the work. The fountain employe is not scared to death by an officious person who bellows his rage at the condition of a neglected spot. Patrons of the place being visited seldom know that he is on a mission of health. Any criticisms which he has to offer are said when there is little chance that some fastidious patron will hear him and boycott the place.
 Glasses which look clean from the counter are held up to the light and frowned over, Spoons are examined. plates are scrutinized. while the white aproned boy stands first on one foot and then on the other foot. wondering why he had not paid more attention to such things before this fateful day.
 The pumps for the syrups arc taken apart and eXamined; water and seltzer connections are inspect ed: the refrigerating system Is gone overall in an incredibly short time. A question here and a sug- geStlon tnere, all gwen Tn n gentle tone, and the inspection is com pleted.
 After several days, during which time the white capped boy at the fountain has faint dreams Of jail and Imprisonment for that orange peel which was found behind the foot board, the certificate is re- ceived from headquarters. The lex cellent' placards are usually posted the good" decisionsd are not so prominent: the flair" certificates are usually placed in handy corner and the poor" ones l they are usually bettered follow ing brief visit from a health of- fccr official, l