REPORT OF CHEMIST.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., January 1, 1908. To the Members of the Board of Health, City of New Orleans, Dr. Wm. T. O'Reilly, Chairman.

Gentlemen-I herewith have the pleasure of transmitting to you for your consideration the following report dealing with the operations of the chemical department of the Board of Health of the City of New Orleans for the period dating from September 17, 1906, to December 31, 1907:

REPORT FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPT. 17, TO DEC. 31, 1906.

Number of samples of skimmed milk..

Number of samples containing weighable amounts of

12

The above tabulation includes all adulterated samples, but cream

and skimmed milk are omitted.

Miscellaneous analyses during this same period included:

One sanitary analysis of water;

One sample of formaldehyde for determination of strength;
One sample of anise oil for adulteration.

REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1907.

Total number of milk samples received

Number of milk samples rejected

Total number of milk samples analyzed

5063

7

5056

Number containing gelatine or farinaceous matter.
Number containing artificial coloring matter.....

In the following tabulation is presented the average composition of nilk, which includes all adulterated (watered) milk, but the creams are omitted:

0

The succeeding tabulation which excludes from consideration samples of cream and all adulterated (watered) milk, will exhibit the average composition of milk for each month of the year.

All of the 5056 samples of milk represent the commercial quality. These samples were taken at random, i. e., from wagons, from shops. and from the railroad depots. It has been urged that milk from the cows does not always conform to the requirements of the law. While this is true, it is also evident that a standard established at the minimum of quality, or that of the poorest milk obtained under the worst conditions, would admit of the sale of a very large quantity of adulterated milk. It is possible to produce from inferior animals under unfavorable conditions, such as impoverished diet, bad care, extreme age or youth, milk somewhat below the legal requirements. This, however, should not be an argument for the reduction of the standard to include occasional cases of the lowest quality.

A serious perusal and a careful and earnest study of the foregoing tables must assure the credulous and convince the most skeptical that the milk standard adopted by the City of New Orleans is a just and reasonable standard, and does not subject the dairymen to any hardships.

The analysis and examination of milk comprises the following:

Specific gravity;

Total solids and ash;

The butter fat content;

Occasional examination for acidity;

Sediment or dirt;

Thickening agents, such as gelatine and farinaceous matter;
Artificial coloring matter;

Preservatives;

Occasional refractometer readings at 20 degrees C;

And such other examination as the exigencies of the case demand. This extensive examination of milk is essential and requisite in order to protect the public health in so far as chemical and physical examination of milk will allow, and at the same time protect the honest and upright dairyman from his dishonest and unscrupulous competitor.

Men who tamper with milk are engaged in a dangerous and criminal business. When milk is weakened by the addition of water it loses the virtues which it originally possesses, and which renders it the admirable food for infants and invalids. This weakening of the milk before it reaches the consumer is a dishonest act. Those who allow greed to strangle conscience should be severely punished on account of the possible consequences.

Those dairymen who are uncleanly in their habits, or careless in the handling of milk, often allowing or permitting it to become contaminated with fecal matter from the teat or udder of the cow, or so exposing it as to become impregnated with substances dangerous to infant life, cannot excuse their conduct on the ground of ignorance. The literature upon this subject has been too universally circulated to admit of such a plea.

In the City of New Orleans there has been a very marked improvement in the milk supply during the past year. While this is gratifying there remains much more to be done. This is especially true from the bacteriological viewpoint. If more care was taken and the greatest caution exercised in attending to the milk supply of the household by the heads of families, there would be a decided reduction in infant mortality, specially in children under three years of age and who are dependent almost wholly upon milk as their chief supply of food. Ignorant parents must share the responsibility with the milkman, for many householders are too careless in the handling and storing of the milk once it has been delivered to them.

In addition to the analyses of milk, the following examinations were made during the year 1907:

You will note from the above that 55 samples of condensed milk were analyzed during 1907. Nineteen of these were submitted by number, the name of the brand of condensed milk was not submitted to me. Eleven samples were analyzed from time to time, either to ascertain the proportions of butter fat and other constituents, or for adulteration or products of decomposition.

I herewith have the pleasure of submitting a study of twenty-five Condensed Milks, as this article is found in the New Orleans market: