496 THE CONTROL OF THE MILK SUPPL Y 



from the possibility of infection of the milk, either at the farms or 

 dairy transit is avoided ; (J)) the distribution of the milk in sealed 

 bottles is a safeguard against its infection or contamination in the 

 milk-shops or in the streets ; {c) the milk awaiting consumption 

 in the houses is kept free from contamination by means of flies, 

 dust, or polluted air. We understand that this Company is now- 

 merged in the Copenhagen Dairy Company.^ 



3. Philadelphia Milk Commission 



This Commission (established 1899) appoints experts to examine 

 the dairy and its products in regard to the health of the cows, the 

 cleanliness of the stables, milk-room, and apparatus, and the health 

 of the employes ; also in regard to the chemical composition and 

 purity of the milk, and the number and kinds of bacteria present. 

 The Commission grants or refuses certificates in accordance with 

 the result of the experts' examination. These certificates are in 

 such form that they can be handed to the consumer with each 

 bottle of milk or cream. The dairyman agrees to abide by the 

 decisions of the Commission and to pay for the examinations. 



1. The procedures so far followed have been, first, that the 

 agreements have been signed when the dairymen notified the 

 Commission that they wished to have their dairy examined. The 

 Commission, when so notified, instructs its experts to examine the 

 dairy and its products. The experts then report to the Commission 

 on blanks provided for that purpose, and finally, where the examina- 

 tion has shown the proper conditions to be present, certificates have 

 been issued in accordance with the contract. 



2. As the result of action thus far, others are being stimu- 

 lated to improve their dairies so as to enable them to obtain the 

 certificate of the Commission. It does not seem too much to hope 

 that ultimately the whole milk supply of the city may be improved, 

 owing to the demonstration of the practicability of such improve- 

 ment, and to the demand for certified good milk that will surely 

 follow the education of the public. 



3. The Commission shall consist of four members besides the 

 president of the society, who shall be a member ex-officio. The 



^ The principles and practice of the Danish system have recently been 

 introduced into England and are now being carried out by Mr C. W. Sorensen 

 at the White Rose Dairy, West Huntington, York. This dairy farm may be 

 taken as a type of the best practice now in vogue in England. It illustrates the 

 sort of control of the milk supply which, in the opinion of the writer, should be 

 adopted throughout the country, and which is the most important immediate 

 requirement. See Appendix S, p. 594. 



