168 THE MODERN MILK PROBLEM 



local matter, there is now a tendency to make state 

 legislation more specific and to give the state board of 

 health or some other body power to promulgate regula- 

 tions applying to the state as a whole, excepting, per- 

 haps, the largest cities. Such legislation and regulations 

 may ensure uniformity of fundamental requirements, 

 and are a special manifestation of the general tendency 

 to establish state sanitary standards. A notable step 

 in this direction has been taken in New York State, 

 where a sanitary code prescribed by the Public Health 

 Council applies throughout the State with the excep- 

 tion of New York City. (For the system of milk grad- 

 ing established by this code, see Appendix B.) A 

 similar power has also been conferred upon the State 

 Board of Health of New Jersey. 



Legislatures may embody more or less specific regula- 

 tion in statute, leaving subordinate regulations to some 

 special body, or they may confer large general powers 

 in the matter to such a body. The normal agency for 

 the formulation of state regulations primarily affecting 

 public health is the state board of health, but, on ac- 

 count of the several interests involved, there has been 

 some controversy as to what body should be empowered 

 to prescribe milk regulations. Composite boards or 

 commissions have, therefore, been proposed in which 

 health and agricultural authorities should play the 

 chief part, along with representatives of local boards 

 of health, farmers' and dealers' organizations, etc. 

 It seems clear, however, that the sanitary authorities 

 should alone be vested with power to establish regula- 

 tions primarily affecting health. A mixed board, es- 

 pecially if at all large, is likely to be a disharmonious 



