THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 181 



tary way. A discussion of the bacteriological count will be found beginning on 

 page 43 of Circular 153 of the Bureau of Animal Industry. (Chief Bureau of 

 Animal Industry.) 



The bacterial count is, generally speaking, a fair index of cleanliness in milk 

 as in water. (Surgeon General U. S. Army.) 



Yes; within certain limits. (Surgeon General U. S. Navy.) 



The bacterial count is a reliable index of the care taken in the production 

 and handling of milk. (Surgeon General Public Health and Marine-Hospital 

 Service. ) 



Yes ; a high count indicates either dirty, warmth, or long keeping. Perhaps 

 one of these, or all, may be factors in any case. (Dr. William H. Park, New 

 York, N. Y.) 



Numerical findings of bacteria in milk are the only reliable index of cleanli- 

 ness in the collections of milk. They were first proposed by the Medical Milk 

 Commission of Essex County, N. J., in 1890, and carried out under its super- 

 vision with Dr. Pruden and Dr. R. G. Freeman, of New York. (Dr. Henry L. 

 Coit, Newark, N. J.) 



Yes; in general. (Dr. R. G. Freeman, New York, N. Y.) 



Yes. (Dr. M. P. Ravenel, Madison, Wis.) 



It is. (Dr. C. E. A. Winslow, New York, N. Y.) 



Yes. (Health officer Ann Arbor, Mich.) 



We think so. (Health officer Atlanta, Ga.) 



I believe it is when milk from the same station from different producers are 

 reported. (Health officer Baltimore, Md.) 



W T hile not reliable at all times, it does in most cases reveal whether condi- 

 tions are satisfactory or otherwise. The three factors which contribute largely 

 to high bacterial counts are: (1) Contamination of milk at times of being 

 drawn, resulting from unclean and improper methods; (2) temperature; (3) 

 age. (Health officer Birmingham, Ala.) 



Yes. (Health officer Bismarck, N. Dak.) 



Not necessarily (answer only to latter part of question). (Health officer 

 Burlington, Vt.) 



In a general way it is indicative of degree of contamination, the method of 

 cooling and storage, and the age of a given sample. (Health officer Cleve- 

 land, Ohio.) 



Yes. (Health officer Columbus, Ohio.) 



Not necessarily. (Health officer Detroit, Mich.) 



It is the most reliable method at our disposal. (State board of health, 

 Florida.) 



Yes. (Health officer Jacksonville, Fla.) 



Yes ; it permits health department to go to source of trouble, which in many 

 instances is at the farm, and compel cleanliness. (Health officer Kansas 

 City, Mo.) 



An excellent indication of the general sanitary conditions. Count should be 

 high, say 500,000 c. c., or can not be enforced. (Health officer Lynchburg, Va.) ; 



Yes ; a high count is indicative of unsatisfactory conditions, either at the 

 dairy or during handling and transportation. (Health officer Montclair, N. J.) 



Yes; either in milking, handling, surroundings, as well as diseased cows. 

 (Health officer Portland, Oreg.) 



Yes. (Health officer Providence, R. I.) 



It never indicates actual number of bacteria present, but applied under 

 standard <>onditions it gives thoroughly reliable comparative figures. It always 

 indicates that something is wrong; either (1) dirty production, (2) failure to 

 cool promptly and efficiently and to keep cold, or (3) keeping too long. (Health 

 officer Richmond, Va.) 



Within certain limitations; for instance, when icing from stable to retailer 

 is enforced. Yes. (Health officer Rochester, N. Y.) 



Yes. (Health officer Seattle, Wash.) 



Only comparatively. (Health officer Syracuse, N. Y.) 



Not necessarily so. (Health officer Topeka, Kans.) 



Bacterial counts taken consecutively are an indication of the cleanliness and 

 careful handling when low'; of the opposite when high. But it is unfair to 

 draw conclusions from one count, as accidents may happen. (Straus Labora- 

 tory, Washington, D. C.) 



No. (Sharon Dairy, District of Columbia.) 



The bacterial count is absolutely reliable if taken in accordance with pre- 

 scribed precautions and with due exercise of care. The mere count in itself, 

 however, does not show or denote the presence of deleterious organisms, but 



