THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 109 



such combination has reached the attention of any person consulted. 

 Dr. Prescott, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, disclaims 

 knowledge of any " arrangement " which may exist between the dif- 

 ferent manufacturers, while the Bureau of Animal Industry pro- 

 claims that there are 8 or 10 pasteurizing machines on the market, 

 with every appearance of strong competition in the sale of the dif- 

 ferent makes. Borden's Condensed Milk Co. observes in this par- 

 ticular that, since patents have expired on many of the machines, it 

 would be very difficult to exert control over them, inasmuch as any 

 manufacturing concern could undertake to place them on the market 

 without infringement of patent rights, and each dealer could, in fact, 

 manufacture his own pasteurizing apparatus. 



VIII. BACTERIAL, CONTENT. 



PRACTICABILITY AND DEFINITENESS OF BACTERIAL COUNT. 



It has been argued before the committee that a prescribed bac- 

 terial content is not only commercially but scientifically impracti- 

 cable, and that it is impossible to estimate with any degree of pre- 

 cision the number of bacteria in a given sample of milk. When the 

 methods of ascetaining the bacterial content are inquired into, it is 

 easy to understand how, by dilution with sterilized water of the 

 sample of milk to be analyzed, and the counting of the number of 

 observed bacteria in a minute portion of this diluted quantity, cal- 

 culated with reference to the whole volume, a close approximation 

 of the actual number of germs may be made. It may now be stated 

 Avith positiveness that there is a comparative coincidence of the re- 

 sults obtained when the same media are employed and the same con- 

 ditions of analysis followed. A standard for use in such examina- 

 tions has been recommended by a committee of the American Asso- 

 ciation of Medical Milk Commissions for use in bacteriological ex- 

 aminations of certified milk. 1 Under the improved standards 

 adopted for making bacteriological examinations, it may be stated 

 with confidence that investigators working independently arrive at 

 approximately the same conclusions. 



While qualitative determinations of the bacterial species in milk 

 would be a complex and difficult method to adopt as a routine pro- 

 cedure, it is otherwise with quantitative counts, which determina- 

 tions are comparatively easy to obtain and are of invaluable assist- 

 ance to the progressive dairyman. The committee is convinced, 

 after an examination into this phase of the subject, that such latter 

 deductions are scientifically practicable, and may be reasonably 

 taken into account as evidencing unsatisfactory conditions of cleanli- 

 ness, age, and antecedent temperature of milk offered for sale. 



With reference to the discussion as to whether it is practicable, 

 with due regard to the rights of the producer or dealer, to insist upon 

 a prescribed bacterial count, Dr. Goler, health officer of Rochester, 

 N. Y., remarks : 



What right has the dealer to talk about right as against the lives of children? 



1 Bulletin No. 56, Hygienic Laboratory, Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service, p. 

 453. 



