23 



These facts being undisputed, it would seem that no greater service could be ren- 

 dered to the people of this city than for the proper authorities to thoroughly inves- 

 tigate this whole question of our milk supply and not trust to the analysis of an 

 occasional pint here and there. 



HARRY O. HALL. 



APRIL 7, 1893. 



DRUGS IN MILK. 



Would it not be well for the District authorities while investigating the quality 

 of milk sold in the city to go a step further and inquire as to use of antiseptics 

 therein? 



Some years ago I was, as an attorney, thrown in contact with the milk business, 

 as conducted by retailers, and was astounded to find the use of antiseptics as one of 

 the concomitants. One large firm went so far as to advertise "nonsouring milk," 

 and smaller dealers were compelled, in self-defense, to furnish the same quality. To 

 me, who had been reared on a farm, where it is known that milk begins to sour at 

 once upon being taken from tlie cow, the heresy of "nonsouring milk" was simply 

 horrible. 



No matter what drug is used to prevent souring, the partaking of it in such small 

 portions as with children can have but serious results through accumulation in the 

 system, and I trust the health department will interpose their fiat. Watered milk 

 is not injurious if pure water be used ; but drugs of any nature should be peremptorily 

 tabooed. 



LAWYER. 



FLORIDA. 



From Prof. Norman J. Robinson, State chemist. Agricultural Depart- 

 ment, State of Florida, Tallehassee, Fla. : 



Our State has only some general statutes against food and drug adulteration 

 which, I think, are very imperfectly enforced, as there is no special officer whose busi- 

 ness it is to investigate the matter or see to the execution of the law. 



GEORGIA. 



From John M. McCandless, chemist, Atlanta, G-a.: 



In my opinion, a law providing for a close and stringent inspection of food and 

 drugs is very necessary all over the country. I believe, however^ that to be of any 

 vital force or effect the law should be national in its character so that adulterators in 

 one State can not hide behind the laws or the lack of laws in another State. 



From R. J. Redding, director of the Georgia Experiment Station, 

 Experiment, Ga. : 



I am of the opinion that a national food and drug law, if properly administered, 

 would conduce to the health of every consumer. 



From E. M. Wheat, president of the Georgia Pharmaceutical Asso- 

 ciation : 



You will see from the Georgia pharmaceutical laws that this State has a very 

 good law upon the subject of drug adulteration, and the officers are very vigilant 

 in having those laws carried out; therefore, I hardly think that we have any adul- 

 teration in drugs. 



So far as I know, there is very little adulteration in food articles in this State. 

 There is a great deal of so-called cider manufactured here that, of course, is adulter- 

 ated, and I think very injurious. 



