I'KI'.SKX I STATUS OK I 'ASTK I ' JII/ATK >N OK MILK. 



of development can not replace that of pasteurization on a com- 



mercial scale. 



EXTENT OF PASTEURIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



Pasteurization, when first practiced by milk dealers in this country, 

 was carried on secretly, and, except as a means of preserving the 

 milk, was regarded by them as a process of no value. As the prac- 

 tice became more general the subject of pasteurization was studied, 

 and its value as a means of destroying disease-producing bacteria 

 was recognized. In consequence of the recognition of the merits of 

 the process there has been during the last 10 years a rapid increase 

 in the quantity of milk pasteurized, particularly in the larger cities. 

 Jordan (3) states that 10 years ago only about 5 per cent of the 

 milk supply of New York City was pasteurized, as compared with 

 about 40 per cent in 1912 and 88 per cent in 1914. In Boston, in 1902, 

 very little milk was pasteurized, while at present 80 per cent is so 

 treated, and in many of the smaller cities there have been correspond- 

 ing increases in the quantity of milk pasteurized during the last few 

 years. 



The general tendency in this country to-day is toward the pas- 

 teurization of all market milk, with the exception of certified and 

 inspected milk from tuberculin-tested herds. Some idea of the extent 

 of pasteurization may be gained from Table I. The figures 1 were 

 supplied by the milk-investigations section of the Dairy Division 

 and were obtained from replies to circular letters sent to health 

 officers. 



Table I. — Extent of pasteurization of milk in cities in the United States. 



Population ol cities. 



Number of 

 cities an- 

 swering 

 question. 



More than 

 50 per cent 

 pasteur- 

 ized. 



11 to 50 per 



cent pas- 

 teurised. 



to 10 per 

 cent pas- 

 teurized. 



None pas- 

 teurized. 



More than 500,000 

 100,001 to 500,000. 

 75,001 to 100,000... 

 50,001 to 75,000.... 

 25,001 to 50,000.... 

 10,001 to 25,000.... 



Total 



9 



40 

 19 

 30 



78 

 16S 



It will be seen that of nine cities with a population of more than 

 500,000 each, in seven more than 50 per cent of the milk is pasteur- 

 ized; in fact, the proportion is much higher, as Table II shows. 

 Since these figures were obtained the per cent of milk pasteurized 

 has probably increased in these cities. 



1 These figures were obtained through the kindness of Mr. Ernest Kelly and Mr. L. B. 

 Cook. 



*>. 



