BACTERIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF MILK SUPPLIES 1 63 



It is not considered necessary in this paper to point out the means 

 of eliminating filth, which would at the same time eliminate practically 

 all of this excessive number of bacteria found in some of these samples. 

 Most producers of milk and creameries have been instructed in these 

 methods. What we do need, however, is sufficient machinery of the 

 city government to enforce the thirty sections of "An Ordinance in 

 Relation to the Production, Sale, and Disposal of Milk and Milk 

 Products within the City of Boulder.." As in most every other depart- 

 ment of civic improvement, we need not more laws, but enforcement 

 of those already enacted. 



Many of these dairies are delivering a wholesome product. A few 

 are very delinquent. It seems to me that in order to protect those 

 who would give us the best, we should compel the others to meet the 

 same standard or get out of business. 



Just now in the cold weather there is probably no great danger, but 

 with the advent of the hot weather will appear the infant diseases 

 caused by filthy milk. Would it not be better to prevent at least a 

 part of this by compelling the dealers to furnish to the citizens of 

 Boulder a clean, wholesome milk? And this can only be accom- 

 plished by proper inspection. 



I have not so far suggested what should be the standard for Boulder; 

 at present I am inclined to believe that a standard of not more than 

 100,000 germs per cubic centimeter from May i to November i and 

 not more than 75,000 germs per cubic centimeter from November i 

 to May I would be reasonable.^ 



As soon as one suggests better conditions for the production and 

 handling of milk, a cry goes up of the increased expense. We pay 8 

 cents a quart for a comparatively low-grade milk, but for a few excep- 

 tions. A study of many well-equipped dairies, which are managed so 

 as to produce the greatest returns, will show the fallacy of this idea. 

 A striking illustration may be found reported in Hoard's Dairyman, 

 November 18, 1910. A dairy in Wisconsin markets milk in Chicago, 

 100 miles away. The bacterial count is less than 2,000 per cubic 



■ Mr. Poe of the Graduate School is carrying out more extensive work along this line, and will inde- 

 pendently suggest a standard as a part of a thesis which he will present in June. 



