704 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



structors prepared a card, which has been revised in succeeding 

 years and is now in extensive use. 



Practically contemporaneous with the development of the inspec- 

 tion movement has been that of the medical milk commission, which 

 started as a professional crusade in 1889 of the Medical Society of 

 New Jersey, but which united with it sanitarians, health authorities, 

 and other agencies striving for pure milk. The purpose of these 

 commissions, which numbered in 1914 about 75, was primarily the 

 production of what came to be known as " certified milk," but with 

 the organization of the American Association of Medical Milk Com- 

 missions in 1907, it took on a wider scope and included an educa- 

 tional propaganda looking toward the betterment of all milk sup- 

 plies. This movement has had considerable influence in improving 

 the general milk supplies of cities where such commissions exist, 

 by setting a higher standard of quality and by creating a public 

 sentiment in favor of pure milk. In 1910 a conunission appointed by 

 the New York Milk Committee advised the establishment of milk 

 standards, with proper labeling. The State of New York subse- 

 quently defined grades of milk for sale in cities and villages, and 

 many communities throughout the country have taken similar action. 



The change in spirit manifested in the administration of milk 

 inspection regulations was a theme referred to by many of the 

 speakers. Thus, Professor Stocking declared that " formerly the 

 prime object of the inspector was to bring legal action against and 

 impose a penalty upon every man who did not conform to the estab- 

 lished ideals. Fortunately, this spirit has given place to one of 

 helpfulness, and the prime object of the inspector now is to assist the 

 producer and handler in so conducting his business that his product 

 will be of the best quality." Similarly, Dr. Alsberg referred to the 

 present day ideal, not of mere prosecution of offenders but of cooper- 

 ation and constructive work with all concerned. The inspection of 

 milk and dairies has come to be looked upon as less a police than as 

 an educational duty, and the inspector, so far as possible, as an edu- 

 cator and advisor to both producer and consumer. 



One result of this change in attitude has been the increased weight 

 attached to the qualifications of the inspector. Whereas a few years 

 ago appointing officials did not always appreciate the importance of 

 this factor, the need of selecting men with thorough scientific train- 

 ing and experience, so far as available, is now becoming more gen- 

 erally recognized. It was pointed out by Professor Stocking that one 

 function of the agricultural colleges is to train men for this line of 

 work. 



Even more fundamental is the establishment of a body of scientific 

 knowledge as the foundation for a sound practice. If regulations, 



