270 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



CARE OF MILK IN THE HOME. 



Bulletin Iowa State Dairy and Food Commission. 



Milk is responsible for more sickness than perhaps all 

 other foods combined. There are many reasons for this : ( i ) 

 Bacteria grow well in milk unless it is kept at a low tempera- 

 ture; (2) of all food-stuffs, milk is the most difficult to obtain, 

 handle, transport, and deliver in a clean, fresh, and satisfactory 

 condition; (3) it is readily decomposed; and, (4) it is the only 

 food obtained from animal sources consumed in the raw state. 



Milk is an ideal food for infants. In milk are present all of 

 the food constituents for a well balanced diet for adults. It is 

 readily digested both in the raw and prepared states and its use 

 in food products is endless. Furthermore, milk is the cheapest 

 food containing all of the necessary food constituents. 



Progressive dairymen understand the principles of handling 

 milk, and although clean wholesome milk may be delivered to the 

 housewife, it may become unfit for use as a food if carelessly 

 handled in the home. 



Do not purchase milk that is sold in bulk. Insist upon hav- 

 ing your milk bottled at the farm (not in the wagon) and de- 

 livered to you sealed from all dust, dirt and flies. The insani- 

 tary method of carrying milk cans and measures through the 

 dusty streets with flies alighting on the milk receptacles after 

 alighting on garbage w^agons, .sputum, manure, etc., should not 

 be tolerated. Have the milk man place the bottled milk out of 

 reach of dogs and cats and in a cool, shady place. When the 

 milk is delivered, note whether or not it is cold. If the tem- 

 perature is above 50 degrees F., the milk man has been care- 

 less of his refrigeration methods. 



When the milk is received, the bottle should be held under 

 the cold water faucet and washed thoroughly with as little agita- 

 tion of the milk as is possible. Then note whether there is any 

 sediment in the bottom of the bottle. A sediment shows that 



