an appeal from justices' courts to the Courts of Quarter Sessions. This law, then, is equivalent to one which entitles all persons, tried! under the milk act, to two jury trials, and hence increases the chance of escape through various legal technicalities.

I adhere to the opinion, formerly expressed, that in public health matters speedy trial is necessary, and the character of the evidence offered is such that no jury is required. The judgment of juries, drawn to try cases under this act, is apt to be biased by local associations and prejudices. This has often proved to be the case.

In a trial held in Sussex county, where not only was the evidence offered by the State convincing, but was supplemented by a written confession of guilt by the defendant, the jury failed to agree.

In another case, tried on appeal to Quarter Sessions, the judge charged the jury to bring in a verdict in accord with the evidence presented, yet a verdict of "not guilty" was brought in.

During the year twenty-seven complaints have been made against persons violating the milk law. Of these, thirteen entered a plea of guilty; four were tried and convicted, and ten cases are now pending in the courts. The sum of $850 has been collected by the justices for penalties and should have been paid into the State treasury before this time.

In many instances, when dissatisfaction has been expressed respecting the State standard, I have offered to have any dairy examined free of cost, but the offer has never been accepted.

The limit set up by law is still disputed by all against whom complaints have been made in court, and I doubt not that if the standard was reduced to ten per cent. of milk solids, that some would be found to claim such a figure too high. We have proved to our own satisfaction that our limit is just and accurate, and not too high for commercial milk. It has been adopted in New York State, with the rigorous requirement that all milk shall contain three per cent. of fat and twelve per cent. of cream by volume. In Massachusetts, thirteen per cent. of solids are required by law, and the limit has been repeatedly sustained by the courts.

Very little assistance was rendered, this year, by local Boards of Health. With one or two exceptions there seems to be decided apathy for the work. In Newark, where last year a great amount of work was done, hardly any cases have been tried. At Asbury Park, the usual energy has characterized the local Board, and supervision of the milk-supply has been maintained.

1

In closing, I would repeat a few suggestions that I have before offered:

With so excellent and comprehensive a law as that enacted to prevent the adulteration of food and drugs, it seems to me unnecessary to have a special milk law. If an amendment was enacted requiring the Inspector to make his complaints, for milk adulteration, under the food law, and at the same time enabling him to inspect other foods, a great deal of very efficient work would be done.

It seems to me necessary, also, that local Boards of Health be invested with power to compel a registration of milk dealers, and to make such registration a prerequisite before selling milk. The cowstables, also, should be placed under supervision. It is almost impossible for the Inspector to visit all towns in the State, and local Boards should be compelled by law to aid in this work.

The law has operated well this year, and the undersigned, while fully aware of the unpleasant position in which he is often placed, would rely on the support of honest and unprejudiced citizens and those interested in sanitary progress.

CIRCULARS AND LAWS.

CIRCULAR XLIV.

OF THE

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH OF NEW JERSEY.

HOW TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF SMALL-POX, SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA AND OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

These diseases are spread by infectious particles which pass from person to person, directly or by means of discharges (called secretions or excretions), or by clothing, furniture or other surroundings. We seek to prevent this transfer, chiefly as follows:

a. By avoiding contact as far as possible or proper.

b. By abundant supply of pure air and ventilation.

c. By removing all unnecessary materials which receive or absorb the infective particles.

d. By the most exact cleanliness of persons and things.

e. By disinfectants.

We specify the diseases with which we have most to deal and the chief sources from which the particles are diffused:

f. Small-Pox. From the pustules, chiefly of the skin.

g. Scarlet Fever.-From the mouth, throat, nasal passages and the skin.

h. Diphtheria. From the mouth, throat and nasal passages.

i. Measles. From the mouth, throat, nasal passages and skin. j. Whooping-Cough.-The expulsive breath from the air passages; also from the sputa.

k. Typhoid Fever.-The discharges from the bowels, and perhaps constant exposure to other secretions or excretions from the patient.

As to small-pox, its contagion is very diffusive, and continues for long time in the scabs of the pustules.

Scarlet fever is probably conveyed by the peeling skin longer than by the breath, but it is not so diffusive as small-pox or measles. Diphtheria is not communicable at long distances, except in very close rooms. The membrane itself is the most dangerous source of contagion, particles of which may be carried and impart the disease at almost any distance if there is not full exposure to air.

Measles is very communicable, and probably more so because the cough tends to propel and diffuse the breath, laden with infective particles.

The same is true of whooping-cough, and besides, the sputa or phlegm, when it becomes dry, helps to diffuse the infection.

Typhoid fever seems chiefly to be communicated by the discharges, after they have undergone change by exposure to the air and to materials such as milk, which can absorb the particles, and when used convey it into the system.

It is true of this and the other contagions above named that they may pass into water or food as well as air, and be conveyed into the system by such means.

While these are the chief, they are not the only infections which may be conveyed.

Thus typhus fever is directly conveyable through the breath or the eruption.

Cholera, like typhoid fever, is conveyable chiefly through the discharges.

There is a follicular form of sore throat which is different from that of scarlet fever or diphtheria, which often seems to be communicated by near contact or inhalation of the breath. Direct breathing in of the breath of others is never healthy, and should be guarded against, especially where there is sickness.

Mumps are communicable at a small distance.

Some forms of skin diseases are conveyed by contact. Persons with any form of sore eyes, or unnatural discharges of any kind, should not use a towel which is to be used by others.

It is now believed that to some persons consumption may be communicable where there is imperfect ventilation, or to some susceptible persons who are constantly brought in direct contact with the breath or dried sputa of one sick with this malady. Individual care and