286 THE COMMON SENSE OF THE MILK QUESTION 



under proper conditions, or it can rescind a permit 

 once given. To safeguard the interests of the city 

 there are some thirty-five inspectors of food detailed 

 to milk inspection. Eighteen of these are engaged 

 in the city, looking after the conditions in the railroad 

 terminals where .the milk arrives at night, seizing and 

 destroying all that is above the legal temperature. 

 They must also inspect all depots, trucks, retail 

 wagons, stores where milk is sold, the condition of 

 cans and bottles being returned to the country — 

 in short, all the conditions of the milk supply after 

 it reaches the city are subject to their inspec- 

 tion. 



If a householder complains of the quality of the 

 milk supply, either by letter, by telephone, or in per- 

 son, the complaint is promptly investigated. Sam- 

 ples are secured and such action as may be necessary 

 is taken. Some of the inspectors are detailed to the 

 work of taking samples for bacteriological examina- 

 tion and analysis. When there is an excessive bac- 

 terial count reported, the report is made the basis of 

 an investigation of the conditions at the place where 

 the sample was taken, or the dealer from whom the 

 milk was obtained. Then the matter is turned over 

 to the country inspectors, who pursue the investiga- 

 tion at the creamery from which the milk came and 

 thence back to the farms from which the creamery is 

 supplied. And whenever a case of typhoid occurs in 



