250 CITY MILK SUPPLY 



filter bed or septic tank. Small plants can usually be ventilated by win- 

 dows; large ones may need some system of artificial ventilation. In any 

 plant it is desirable to conduct the different operations in separate rooms 

 but in the smallest this is impossible. Even in these a separate room 

 for handling the milk is a necessity. It should be located away from the 

 ashes and soot of the boiler room and be so built that it can be closed 

 tightly to keep out steam and air vitiated with odors and dust. When the 

 room is in use no one whose presence is not absolutely needed should be 

 allowed in it. 



Large plants should be completely equipped with apparatus but small 

 ones cannot be. In general, proper equipment for a plant includes : steam 

 boiler, appliances for cleaning the utensils and bottles, sterilizers for 

 bottles and other apparatus, bottling and capping machines, proper pip- 

 ing, shafting, etc. for operating the plant, and washbowl, soap and towels 

 for attendants in the milk-handling room. 



All weigh cans, storage vats and other apparatus should be constructed 

 of suitable metal, preferably tinned copper. Closely fitting covers of 

 material similar to the apparatus should be provided and all angles and 

 joints should be soldered smooth. 



Pipes and pumps should be of sanitary construction and so arranged 

 that they may be easily taken apart for cleaning. No tightly soldered 

 elbow joints should be allowed. 



Valves on bottling machines should be simple and so constructed that 

 they may be easily taken apart and cleansed. Especially it is essential 

 that the rubber valve seats shall be easily detachable. 



Every milk plant should be equipped with a Babcock tester and large 

 ones should have laboratories for chemical and bacteriological work. 



Two points are allowed for laboratory and two for water supply. 

 Under methods, the card gives 14 points for cleanliness of the building, 14 

 for cleanliness and sterilization of apparatus and bottles and 22 points 

 for proper handling of the milk. Besides, 4 points are allowed for clean- 

 liness of the attendants and delivery outfit, 3 for bacterial work and 3 for 

 inspection of dairies. A dirty building will become malodorous and 

 attract vermin; if it becomes grossly unclean the dust and dirt may con- 

 taminate the milk. It is highly important that apparatus be clean and 

 sterile, otherwise bacterial pollution of the milk is bound to result. 

 Apparatus is properly cleaned by first washing it in cool water, then in 

 hot water and washing, powder, then in a rinse of clean hot water, after 

 which the apparatus should be sterilized with steam or if that be lacking 

 in boiling water. Pumps and piping are washed by pumping water 

 through them right after they are thrown out of service, after which they 

 are taken apart for thorough cleansing and for sterilization. Rusted and 

 battered apparatus cannot be cleaned and should be discarded. In case 

 a milk plant is putting out milk of inferior quality to what might be ex- 



