The Public Milk Supply. By Hugh A. Macewen, M.B. (Mackie
and Son. 2s. 6d. net.)—Dr. Macewen has collected a great number of most valuable facts in this volume. It well deserves the careful attention of the sanitary authorities everywhere and of the public - generally. The dangers that surround this necessary article of food are many and formidable. The cow may be unhealthy ; the dairy may be unclean ; the milk from a healthy cow in a quite clean dairy may cause disease if it is taken too soon after calving. How are all these contingencies to be provided against ? How, to take one point, is an adequate water-supply to be provided all over the region which supplies milk to the public? Suppose—a large supposition—that all the water companies do their duty, how small is the part of rural England which they supply ! Dr. Macewen, in accord with other authorities, condemns absolutely the use of preservatives. But is not this something of a counsel of per- fection? In thundery weather can milk always be relied upon, however carefully treated, considering that it is not used till twelve hours, at the least, after being taken from the cow? And then to think of the places where it has to be kept!
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