242 THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



questions from 13 to 23 I have not replied to, partly because most of them come 

 more directly under men engaged in other lines of work than my own, and 

 partly because much can be said in answer to each question, so much de- 

 pending on circumstances. For instance, question 13, " What is condensed 

 milk? " There are a number of ways of condensing milk, as you no doubt 

 know. A milk preserved by the addition of much sugar would be susceptible 

 to changes entirely different from that simply condensed, but to which no sugar 

 has been added. The same consideration is applicable in regard to the nutri- 

 tive qualities and digestibility and keeping qualities of such milks, much de- 

 pending on circumstances, so that I do not feel able to answer these questions 

 in the space allotted. However, as said before, you can get very much better 

 opinions from men who are especially engaged in this line of work. 

 I am, with high regard, very sincerely, yours, 



MAZYCK P. RAVENEL. 



MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, 



Boston, November 9, 1910. 



DEAR SIB : I am sorry that I have no time to study and make careful answers 

 to the interesting questions which you lay before me. 



Having been absent from my desk for six months in Europe, I am now over- 

 whelmed with work and regret that I shall not be able to assist you. 

 Very truly, yours, 



W. T. SEDGWICK. 

 CHAIRMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 



Washington, D. 0. 



HARVARD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL, 



Boston, Mass., November 15, 1910. 

 The WASHINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 



Washington, D. C. 



DEAR SIR : I have duly received your circular letter and accompanying series 

 of questions dealing with the problem of dairy sanitation. On looking over the 

 questions I find it impossible to give any categorical answers to them. My own 

 views are more or less determined by opposing considerations and I should be 

 giving an erroneous impression if I were to answer them briefly. I am sure 

 that a few men in Washington holding fairly conservative views could furnish 

 the desired information, since there are no widely divergent opinions among 

 scientists at the present time on the subjects you have introduced. 

 Very truly, yours. 



THEOBALD SMITH. 



UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, 

 Minneapolis, Minn., December 1, 1910. 

 WASHINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 



Washington, D. C. 



GENTLEMEN : Immediately upon receipt of your blanks I set about trying to 

 formulate answers which would be of use to you. There were so many ques- 

 tions, however, that I did not know quite what to do. Upon some of them my 

 opinion would be purely academic; on certain others I felt a right to express 

 an opinion, but it appeared to be quite impractical for me to contribute anything 

 which would be of real use to you. 



You have in Washington, in your medical health officer, and in the various 

 Federal services, including the United States Public Health and Marine-Hospital 

 Service and the various divisions of the Departemnt of Agriculture, men whose 

 opinions have the greatest weight with sanitarians throughout this and other coun- 

 tries. In addition to their general knowledge, they have specific information with- 

 out which it would be impossible to discuss intelligently the Washington situation. 

 Outsiders, no matter how much they know about a subject in general, are at a 

 disadvantage in dealing with a local situation, and, instead of being helpful, 

 might be positively detrimental. Your blanks are comprehensive, but they 

 should be filled out by those who see all sides of the local situation and are 

 familiar with local conditions. 



