572 
Upon investigation, however, it was found that there was much 
diversity as to working details and standards of purity, and a con- 
ference of the various commissions was held in Atlantic City, June 3, 
1907, to discuss the various complicated phases of the work. 
This resulted in the organization of a national association which 
has for its object the affiliation of all medical milk commissions in the 
United States, the adoption of uniform working methods and stand- 
ards relating thereto, and the extension of the movement in other 
cities. 
It therefore becomes of interest to study more in detail the organ- 
ization of these commissions, their exact functions, their working 
methods and standards, their altruistic motives, and the results thus 
far accomplished. 
THE ORGANIZATION OF MEDICAL MILK COMMISSIONS. 
The commissions have in most instances been appointed by local 
medical societies and practically all of the members were, there- 
fore, physicians. In certain instances, however, commissions have 
been organized by private clubs or medical societies in cooperation 
with local business associations and the membership has included 
men noted for their business acumen and philanthropy. 
The opinion now prevails that the medical milk commission 
should be strictly a medical organization with professional objects 
for the public good and that the majority of its members should be 
physicians. It therefore seems desirable that such commissions be 
created by medical societies and that the members be appointee 
annually. The membership of the different commissions has usually 
consisted of 5 to 12 persons, including a chairman, secretary, and 
treasurer. In two instances at least, notably Cincinnati and Cleve- 
land, representative business men were also included in the member- 
ship, thus lending encouragement and support to the work. 
It has been suggested that the chief sanitary officer of the locality 
should be a member ex-officio of each commission and that this body 
might also act as an advisory to the municipal bureau of milk inspec- 
tions. Such an arrangement would appear to be of mutual advan- 
tage, as the commission might thus lend its influence for the im- 
provement of the general milk supply and in turn be provided with 
laboratory facilities and relieved of undue expense. 
The members receive no pay for their services, but the experts 
employed by the commissions in making the necessary veterinary 
inspections, chemical analyses, and bacteriological examinations 
generally receive fees. In some instances these services have been 
performed by health department officials or gratuitously by private 
