NEW YORK MILK COMMITTEE 59 



which we already possess. The South does not fail to see it. 

 When yellow fever threatened our southern states in 1905, I think 

 it was, they clubbed together and requested the United States 

 Public Health and Marine Hospital Service to take charge of the 

 fight against yellow fever. California does not think so, either. 

 She called in this same service to fight the plague. In both in- 

 stances splendid work was done. We have such a service in 

 Washington, and the assistant chief of it is with us to-night and 

 will speak to us next. Dr. Kerr. 



DR. KERR spoke as follows: 



THE BEARING OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES ON 

 THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC MILK SUPPLIES 



The legal control of public milk supplies is a many-sided 

 problem, and one not only affecting the individual, but the 

 community and nation as a whole. For obvious reasons the 

 need of an efficient method of control from the farm to the 

 consumer has been most keenly felt in the larger municipali- 

 ties, but, as is shown by an examination of their laws upon 

 the subject, the States have also realized the necessity of some 

 supervision over milk supplies. The Federal Government, 

 from its standpoint, also recognizes both the economic and 

 sanitary importance of milk, and has put forth well directed 

 efforts to encourage the production of a more abundant and 

 safe supply both in the interest of the producer and the con- 

 sumer. 



The laws relating to milk and milk products in the several 

 States may be regarded as having three general objects; first, 

 development of the dairy industry ; second, prevention of fraud 

 or adulteration ; and third, protection of the public health. 



On account of the food value of milk and because of its al- 

 most universal use, the development of the dairy industry is 

 essential, and in devising an efficient method of control, this 

 must be borne in mind; the dairyman being entitled to proper 

 protection and reasonable profits. In the interest of the con- 

 sumer on the other hand, it is necessary to guard against adul- 

 teration of milk, and to provide that its food value shall not 

 be impaired. 



Milk is a food, and many of the States have laws to prevent 

 its adulteration and to require that it shall conform to certain 

 standards. The national Pure Food and Drugs Act of June 



