PASTEURIZATION OF MUNICIPAL MILK SUPPLIES. 123 



Pasteurization of municipal milk supplies. The subject of 

 the pasteurization of milk assumes great importance in con- 

 nection with the transmission of epidemic diseases of man. 

 There has been collected a formidable list of instances in which 

 milk has transmitted scarlet fever, diphtheria and typhoid fever. 

 The work in Washington shows that 10% of the typhoid fever 

 cases are plainly attributable to milk. In that city, of the 

 dairymen delivering over 100,000 gallons of milk during the 

 summer months, the one having the lowest typhoid fever rate 

 among his customers has a thoroughly up-to-date system of 

 sterilizing bottles and of pasteurizing milk by a holding-device 

 type of machine. 



The system of dairy inspection of the District of Columbia 

 is not preventing milk-borne typhoid fever. All that can Ik- 

 done is to detect outbreaks as early as possible, correct the 

 conditions at the dairy, and count the cases of typhoid fever 

 as they continue to appear. This is not said in disparagement 

 of the Health Department of the District go\-ernment, for it is 

 under able, conscientious management. 



The facts brought to light in Washington regarding typhoid 

 fever alone indicate the necessity for pasteurization, and if 

 subsequent work elsewhere brings to light similar conditions 

 as regards this and other milk-borne diseases, the evidence for 

 the necessity of pasteurization will be overwhelming. Cer- 

 tain it is, that pasteurization offers the only effecti\-e measure 

 that may be immediately put in force against the danger from 

 bovine tuberculosis. That disease is so widely prevalent that 

 the rigid application of measures against the sale of milk from 

 tubercular cows without the alternative of pasteurization would 

 cause a milk famine. 



There have been opinions expressed to the effect that pas- 

 teurization would discourage the exercise of cleanliness and 

 care of milk by the producers. This need not be worse than 

 at present if inspection methods are thorough. As a matter of 

 fact, i)asteurization is not lessening the demands for care in pro- 

 ducing milk. A number of instances could be pointed out of 

 dairymen who i)asteurize but keep the producers up to a high 

 standard by counting the bacteria in the milk and by a private 

 inspection service. 



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