14 THE MILK QUESTION 



into the milk' problem, based upon experience and fact. 

 We must remember that the subject is comparatively new, 

 and that even the medical profession is not fully alive to 

 the meaning and significance of many important facts 

 in the milk question. Few medical schools teach their 

 students the art of dairying and the relations of milk to 

 health and disease. 



The subject is of sufficient importance for educators to 

 consider its introduction into the lower school grades. 

 Even young children may learn how to make butter from 

 milk; they may observe the facts concerning the souring of 

 milk, and may make simple observations upon milk which 

 have an important and fundamental bearing in biology, 

 chemistry, bacteriology, and other subjects. The sight of 

 a drop of milk under the microscope is a revelation, and 

 the childish mind is stimulated by such an exercise. The 

 subject of clean milk touches almost every question in 

 modern sanitation and will prove a valuable object lesson 

 for the growing mind. It is also good pedagogy to take 

 children and grown-ups upon excursions to see dairy 

 farms, dairies, and milk laboratories. 



Education through moving-picture shows, illustrating 

 the effects of dirty milk, serve a useful purpose. News- 

 paper items, public health prints, sanitary tracts and lec- 

 tures, all help to spread the good word. 



Education alone is not sufficient. The milk problem also 

 needs conscientiousness. To guard against the lapses to 

 which human nature is liable demands official supervision. 



The object of education is to enlighten, not to frighten. 

 Public educators sometimes make the mistake of painting 

 the dangers in glaring red and bloody letters. To such, all 

 bacteria have a black hand. A timid person is unduly 

 frightened, and if conscientious, approaches his task with 

 fear and trembling, realizing that he is living over a volcano 

 and that the health and lives of his fellowmen are at stake. 

 A wholesome fear is a good stimulus; a good conscience on 



