HOW SOLVE THE PROBLEM? .165 



them, with none of them is it a dominant phase of their 

 activity. The consequence is that the problem in its en- 

 tirety does not receive the adequate attention of any of them. 

 In this respect improved conditions would undoubtedly 

 obtain, if a more thorough correlation of these various or- 

 ganizations could be brought about. 



The milk problem, as such, is properly a hygienic matter. 

 Under these conditions, there is no question but that the 

 public health organization is in a better position to exercise 

 more effective control than either of the other two. 4 



The work of Federal authorities in this field is chiefly 

 advisory, consisting in investigation, advice to States 

 and communities, and publication of information of 

 more or less general application. 



The situation as to state control is commented upon 

 by Dr. Charles V. Chapin, in a recent survey of the 

 work of state health departments, as follows: 



The subject of milk control is one of the most complicated 

 and difficult in the whole field of public health. There are 

 some who feel that it is a local problem and should be left 

 to the municipalities to work out for themselves. The ma- 

 jority believe theoretically in uniform state laws and state 

 control, but these are difficult of attainment. In agricul- 

 tural states, with small cities, the difficulties are not so great, 

 and they are most acute in the northeastern states, where 

 there are many large cities and less good agricultural land. 

 Theoretically, the State Board of Health should be entrusted 

 with the enforcement of milk laws, as well as consulted in 

 their framing. Actually, state legislatures have not given 

 the State Board of Health much authority, owing to fear 

 on the part of the farmers. In some states it is claimed that 

 authority over milk has been given to the department of 

 agriculture, to keep it away from the health department, or 



