SPECTAi, re;port for year 1912. 17 



represent in the least either the importance of the work or the 

 scope of the ground covered by the deputies. 



Yhe importance of manufacturing, storing and dispensing 

 food materials under sanitary conditions is just being realized 

 by the public. Just how much disease is .spread because flies 

 carry with them and deposit upon exposed foods the germs of 

 dangerous diseases, or the dust of the streets containing danger- 

 ous disease germs is scattered upon food materials, or the 

 spray from human mouths contaminate food products, can never 

 be ascertained. That diseases are spread by these means, liow- 

 ever, is indisputable. In like manner it can never be ascertained 

 of just what value various inspection laws are to the common- 

 wealth, but by comparing the reports of many other states 

 with our own we can feel certain that at the present time the 

 old statement that Maine is the dumping ground for inferior 

 materials can no longer hold true. The character of the various 

 materials offered for sale in the State, which come under 

 the requirements of the various inspection laws, is constantly 

 improving. 



The actual work of inspection in the field is accomplished by 

 means of several deputies. The collection of samples of fer- 

 tilizers, feeding stuffs and seeds is done, as noted above, at 

 certain short definite periods of the year and is usually done 

 by special deputies who search for these particular materials 

 only. The remainder of the inspection work is at the present 

 time done principally by local inspectors appointed to look aft-^r 

 some limited locality in which they reside. 



By this means the larger towns and cities are at present 

 being constantly inspected and the sanitary conditions of food 

 displays are being constantly improved. 



The prosecution feature of the enforcement of these laws 

 is a disagreeable duty. For the most part Maine dealers are 

 and desire to be law abiding. As it is the object of the law 

 to protect the public in the future rather than to impose penal- 

 ties for the past, cases are only prosecuted as a last resort. It 

 has been found necessary to bring about 125 prosecutions dur- 

 ing the year. 



