621 
persons, and the medical inspections are made by members of the 
commission ^\dtbout compensation. 
FUXCTIOXS OF THE COMMISSIOXS. 
The nature of the organization precludes the possibility of super- 
vising the production of more than a limited supply of milk, and 
this should be of such quabty that physicians could unliesitatingly 
prescribe it for clinical purposes. Different grades of milk, and even 
cream, have been indorsed in some instances, but the original pur- 
pose of the commission would be better subserved by certifying to 
only one grade of milk, and that as pure as can be produced ^vitb our 
present methods. Such milk should be available also for use in hos- 
pitals and milk dispensaries, and it is clearly vdtliin the province of 
commissions to foster its use in such institutions. Special arrange- 
ments have therefore been suggested whereby such supply can be 
certified for delivery in bulk, provided the containers are sealed. 
In certain instances, it has seemed wise to assiune temporarily 
the responsibibty of indorsing inspected milk” (vdtb a bacterial 
count not to exceed 100,000), but this function should properly 
be performed by the municipal authority who is responsible to the 
pubbc for the sanitary condition of the general milk supply. 
The responsibibty of the medical milk commission should be 
limi ted to the production of as nearly perfect milk as possible and 
its reports should be made to the professional body which it repre- 
sents, only simple statements being suppbed to the dairies directly 
interested. 
WOEKIXG METHODS AXD STAXDARDS. 
While the aims and general requirements of the different com- 
missions are similar, there has been considerable diversity in re- 
spect to details, most of them, however, of a nonessential character. 
The original plan outlined the fundamental requirements, and it 
remained for each commission to develop working methods and 
standards suitable to its particular locality. 
In any case, the commission agrees to certify to milk conforming 
to its standards when produced in well-equipped dairies conducted 
in accordance with prescribed sanitary requirements. 
In order that these facts may be determined, a veterinaiA' surgeon, 
a bacteriologist, and a chemist are selected by the commission. 
Wlien a daiiA^man signifies bis wilbngness to cooperate in the pro- 
duction of pure milk, the veterinaiA^ surgeon visits the farm and 
inspects the buildings, their location, and sanitar}^ condition. He 
also observes the hygienic methods employed in the production and 
bandbng of the milk, and physically examines the cows in the herd. 
