CLEAN MILK 181 



contractors the farm will also be examined by one of the 

 inspectors employed by the contractors. Finally, if some 

 of this milk should be sent to New York City it would be 

 subject to inspection by the authorities of that city. Even 

 two inspectors are confusing to the farmer, but more than 

 two are ruinous. 



A central inspection has many other advantages that 

 may not at first sight be obvious. It facilitates both the 

 recognition and control of milk-borne diseases. It is use- 

 ful in animal husbandry in controlling the movements of 

 cattle, in the early recognition of the prevalence of animal 

 diseases, such as anthrax, rabies, actinomycosis, foot-and- 

 mouth disease, etc. 



The weakest link in the sanitary chain is the country 

 health officer. Many country health officers have not even 

 a medical education. In fact, many counties and small 

 places do not even have such an officer. Milk comes from 

 the country and especially from thinly settled districts lack- 

 ing in health laws and in health knowledge. If the city 

 must depend upon the country health officer for the purity 

 of its milk supply it is sadly handicapped. This is one of the 

 greatest of all the disadvantages of local milk inspections. 



On the other hand, the feeling for home rule is strong, 

 and there are many reasons why it should be encouraged. 

 It is an advantage to the local community as well as the 

 entire country to strengthen the hands of the local health 

 authorities. In some states the larger cities have taken 

 such active steps in the question of milk inspection that 

 they dominate the situation in the state. This is largely 

 the case with New York City and Chicago and, to a cer- 

 tain extent, with Boston. A number of the smaller towns 

 are also doing admirable work, such, for example, as 

 Springfield and Fall River. As soon as a city or town adopts 

 efficient and stringent regulations for the control of its milk 

 supply, it is apt to bring about a curious situation. It 

 stimulates a desire among dairy people for a state inspec- 



