RULES OF DAIRY INSPECTION. 149 



ent grades of dairy products that may be sold, and sometimes 

 more. Whole milk is required to respond to a certain lacto- 

 meter test, somewhere in the vicinity of 1.028 and also to 

 show about 3% of fat, although the standard varies slightly 

 in different places. Skimmed milk is recognized as a salable 

 article which, however, must always be plainly labelled and 

 must be so!4 in such a .way as to be easily recognized. The 

 skimmed milk is also required to come up to a certain stand- 

 ard, usually somewhere about .5% of fat. In addition to this 

 there is frequently sold what is called half milk, intermediate 

 between skim milk and whole milk. Cream is occasionally 

 sold, though not so much in Europe as in America. 



Physical Quality. In regard to physical quality of 

 milk the rules forbid the sale of milk that has certain unusual 

 appearances. For instance, if it is red or blue or green, if it 

 tastes bitter or salty, if it has a bad smell or shows a slimi- 

 ness, or if it gives evidence of containing blood, or if it is 

 covered with moulds, the sale is in all cases forbidden. The 

 milk inspector is supposed to examine milk frequently upon 

 the streets, and has the right to condemn the sale of milk that 

 shows any of these imperfections. 



The Milk Vessels. There is usually an attempt made to 

 regulate the vessels in which milk shall be kept and from 

 which it shall be sold. Certain kinds of materials are for- 

 bidden, as for example, copper, lead and zinc. It is directed 

 also that the vessels should be of such a character as not to 

 require any handling of the milk in its distribution. In some 

 cases the shape of the milk vessels is suggested, a shape being 

 recommended which will facilitate the cleaning of the vessels. 

 Sometimes even the method of cleaning is included in the 

 general directions which the inspectors give to the dis- 

 tributors, and the requirement of covering the milk to keep 

 out dirt and further contamination is also usually included 

 in the rules. 



