FROM FARM TO CONSUMER 383 



tions, obtain more milk of the higher grades than large 

 cities and no milk of the lower grades. It is evident that the 

 problem of supplying fresh milk to furnish the needs of a 

 small town is comparatively simple, compared to the milk 

 supply of a large city. The small town drains a smaller area, 

 and most of the milk is within wagon haul. Such milk 

 brought into town will be fresh and have comparatively 

 few bacteria. However, this same milk taken several hun- 

 dred miles to the city would probably be old, bacteria- 

 laden, and unsatisfactory. For although the milk may 

 be fresh and contain comparatively few bacteria, it may, 

 nevertheless, contain infection. 



While little attention is paid to small outbreaks of dis- 

 ease, a large epidemic often proves to be a life-saver, for it 

 thoroughly arouses the sanitary conscience, opens up the 

 public purse, and gives the sanitarian authority to accom- 

 plish sanitary reforms. 



The dip-tank 



The day of the dip-tank is doomed. It is unnecessary 

 and a source of infection. There is evidently greater rea- 

 son for handling milk in safe and clean individual packages 

 than there is for soda crackers or breakfast foods. As a mat- 

 ter of fact, the dip-tank is fast disappearing, but holds 

 tenacious sway in the corner grocery store and a few other 

 places. Dip-tanks are objectionable because they often are 

 in an unsanitary condition and in surroundings that make 

 it difficult to keep them clean. In dipping out the milk, 

 some of it runs back over the hands or pitcher into the tank ; 

 in other ways infection and dirt are apt to be introduced. 

 The main advantage of the dip-tank is that it saves money, 

 which is a very great consideration, especially in the poor 

 districts of the city. It is also easier for the dairyman, as it 

 saves the trouble and expense of the bottling nuisance. 

 Good milk of high quality is never purveyed at retail as 

 loose milk. Therefore milk sold from dip-tanks at once 



