29 



BULLETIN OF 



Massachusetts Board of Agricultuee. 



TUBERCULOSIS AND THE MILK SUPPLY. 



B}' George M. Whitaker, M.A., Acting Executive Officer, Massachusetts Dairy 



Bureau. 



Duriug the past few years many statements have been made 

 about possible danger from the use of milk on account of the 

 chance of its containing disease germs. These assertions, coming 

 from good scientific authorities, have been frequently repeated in 

 the newspapers, which are always on the alert for what is novel 

 or startling, and the claims have lost nothing at the hands of the 

 sensational press. Sometimes a scientific man has stated the case 

 in rather startling language. All this has created considerable 

 agitation and tended to curtail the consumption of milk. At times 

 these statements have been coupled with suggestions for removing 

 the danger and for milk and dairy inspection, but by methods some- 

 what radical and arbitrary. A natural reaction from these asser- 

 tions and recommendations has led, in not a few instances, to a 

 denial of the statements of the scientific experts. Much personal 

 animosity and bitter feeling have also been involved, and it has 

 been difficult to treat the question calmly and candidly. The times 

 hitherto have not seemed ripe for a judicial discussion of this topic. 

 Possibly it can now be done in a way that will not only convey 

 facts to the public, but also present the facts in their proper re- 

 lation to other facts, and give their true bearing upon the general 

 milk and food situation. This will furnish the public needed in- 

 formation, will help producers, stimulate the consumption of milk, 

 and place the scientific bearing of the case on a solid footing and 

 in line with good judgment. 



By way of introduction, it should be stated that danger besets 

 us on every hand during every day of our existence. The very 



