NEW YORK MILK COMMITTEE 81 



thence to the milk pails, and so on to our tables and the bodies 

 of our families. This could be prevented by intelligent super- 

 vision. 



Again, the servants employed in caring for the cows that 

 furnish our milk are not compelled to be tidy in their persons 

 or clothing. It is not an easy matter to secure this necessary 

 care on the part of farm hands, but it is possible by the ex- 

 ercise of authority and the use of intelligence, and I think all 

 will agree that "it is a consummation most devoutly to be 

 wished." 



Again the pure food law should be amplified in its scope so 

 as to include the protection of our milk supply, and by the 

 addition of penalties even more drastic than those now pro- 

 vided, prevent any form of adulteration. Penalties should be 

 made more severe for the contamination of milk by any form 

 of dirt or filth. The number of the various bacteria should 

 be subjected to an even more rigid inspection and complete 

 combination than is possible under the existing law. 



Again, the law should be more thoroughly enforced by an 

 intelligent public sentiment. I apprehend that one of the 

 purposes of this convention is the dissemination of knowledge 

 among the masses in order to aid in the creation of an over- 

 whelming public sentiment in favor of the protection of our 

 milk supplies at whatever cost. It is most important that 

 this work be prosecuted with the utmost vigor, and every pos- 

 sible means used to enlist the sympathy of the consumers of 

 milk, for so many selfish interests are arrayed against any ad- 

 vancement in this direction that it is only by the united efforts 

 of the intelligent consumers that we may hope for the ac- 

 complishment of this greatly to be desired object. Thought- 

 ful citizenship is a necessity in the consummation of this work, 

 for until the citizens of the state realize how important this 

 matter is and how necessary it is for every individual con- 

 sumer to lend his aid in this direction, we cannot hope to win 

 in this important battle. 



To recapitulate, then, we conclude that the milk supplies of 

 villages at present have inadequate supervision, first by the 

 health officers, and by the consumers ; second, that there is 

 a lack of intelligent care of buildings, animals and servants 

 furnishing the milk supply ; third, that the pure food law must 



