ANNUAL REPORT. ix 



the great advantage both of the producer and the consumer. 

 This inspection not only prevents dishonest dealers from 

 increasing the supply by adding water, but it also gives con- 

 fidence to consumers, and induces increased use of milk as 

 an article of food. Milk diluted with water, or skimmed and 

 treated with boracic acid and caramel is unfit for the food of 

 robust adults, and is poisonous to infants. Not unfrequcntly 

 the water used to extend good milk is taken from wells or 

 streams polluted by drainage. This fraudulent tampering 

 with the public health was carried on with the most impudent 

 boldness and impunity until the inspection of milk and the 

 prompt i)unishment of violation of the law has wrought a 

 complete reform ; and now, milk quite up to the high 

 standard required by our laws can be relied upon by the 

 purchasers. 



It cannot be denied that among those detected in the 

 adulteration of milk there have been some formers ; but the 

 greater part of the milk received from the farms is above the 

 requirements of the Massachusetts standard, and has been 

 handled with scrupulous cleanliness. Such milk is relatively 

 the cheapest form of food. 



Few city families are aware of the value of milk in diet ; 

 they use it for the most part to impart color to tea and coffee, 

 or, when compelled by necessity, to nourish infants. 



The public has for years known the facility with which 

 milk could be adulterated and has suspected its purity, using 

 as little of it as possible. The suspicion has restricted the 

 use of milk in cooking, while it is almost unrecognized as a 

 beverage. 



Confidence will in time be established, under faithful public 

 inspection, and the people learn the value of good milk as a 

 daily food, thereby largely increasing the demand for it. 



Dairying in all branches has been fairly prosperous. The 

 use of substitutes for butter made from various fats and oils 

 has not prevented a good demand for superior butter at fair 

 prices. 



The report of the cattle commission, which will be found 

 in its place, was presented to the legislature in January. It 

 mentions the disease of *' cholera" as threatening our swine, 



