THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 87 



increase in these organisms will take place if the milk be not kept 

 below 50 F. The moment that a higher temperature than 50 F. 

 is approached the proliferation of deleterious as well as other germs 

 increases with astounding celerity, it being demonstrated by reliable 

 authorities, as already stated, that a temperature of even 52 to 55 

 F., for example, encourages a much more rapid development of bac- 

 teria than 50 F. Some authorities suggest specifying as low as 45 

 F., but there is a substantial agreement among those qualified to speak 

 in favor of 50 F. as a maximum temperature for maintaining milk 

 from the time of milking till delivery to the consumer. Dr. Melvin, 

 Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry, observes in this connection 

 that the specification of that temperature would require the use of 

 ice in summer, but that this is not believed to be commercially im- 

 practicable, except possibly during the summer in warm climates, 

 where the producer is unable to provide ice. This requirement, he 

 states, has been met by the city of Atlanta, Ga., and if it is practicable 

 there it should certainly be practicable for the city of Washington. 

 The feasibility of meeting this situation will, it is observed by Surg. 

 Gen. Stokes, depend among other things upon the facilities granted 

 by the railroads and the amount of capital put into the business. 



Dr. Hamill, of Philadelphia, expresses the view that from 40 to 

 50 F. is the maximum temperature at which milk should be kept to 

 give the best results when commercially used. He is of the opinion 

 that it is practicable to maintain a maximum temperature of 50 F. 

 from time of milking to city delivery to the consumer, provided the 

 producers, the railroad companies, and the dealers can be compelled 

 by law to adopt proper methods. On the other hand, it is stated by 

 the health officer of Columbus, Ohio, that 50 F. is too low for market 

 milk under ordinary conditions as experienced in Columbus, a 65 F. 

 rule having been in* force in that city for two years past. 



If the temperature could be fixed primarily to satisfy the con- 

 venience and advantage of the producer and dealer, this higher 

 temperature could well be determined upon, but the committee is 

 fully impressed, after consulting the authorities on the subject, that 

 the fixing of 65 F. as the maximum temperature would not accom- 

 plish the end desired, and that this higher temperature would permit 

 of rapid multiplication of disease-breeding germs in milk. If the 

 somewhat low temperature specified be not enforced by stringent 

 regulations of the health authorities, all other precautions (save, 

 perhaps, the tuberculin test) tending to the production of a pure 

 milk supply and the elimination of the danger of infection through 

 contamination of the milk will be negatived to such an extent as to 

 almost totally defeat the purpose of the requirement. 



The committee is strongly inclined to believe, therefore, that, not- 

 withstanding the claims put forward by the producers and dealers as 

 to the prejudicial effect upon their business and the possibility, if not 

 likelihood, of a considerable shortage in the milk supply, the interests 

 of the public health demand that this requirement be put into effect 

 and rigidly enforced. 



PRESCRIBED HOURS OF DELIVERY NOT FEASIBLE. 



The committee has considered, in this same connection, the prac- 

 ticability of assuring the maintenance of the prescribed 'temperature 

 by limiting the hours of delivery, especially at residences, so as to 



