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Home Pasteurization of Milk.- Pasteur, the French chemist (whose name has become a household word from his discovery of a treatment which prevents hydrophobia), was once employed by the French Government to study the causes of fermentation in wines and beer. He found that these changes were brought about by the action of microorganisms (germs). He further discovered that these germs could be destroyed at the comparatively low temperature of 140° F. by maintaining this degree of heat for twenty minutes. Hence this process is called "pasteurization."

The germs which cause fermentation or souring of milk or other food products can be destroyed more quickly at or near 212°, the temperature of boiling water. This process is called "sterilization." But this destroys much of the flavor and nutritive value of milk as food. The advantage of pasteurization, when properly conducted, is that neither the flavor nor the food value of the milk is affected.

To pasteurize milk in bottles, place a saucer in the bottom of a small tin pail and stand the bottle of milk on this with the cap on.

Now fill the pail up to within three or four inches of the top of the bottle with hot water-but not so Saucer Water MILK IN BOTTLE on Home pasteurization of milk. Courtesy State Board of Health of Wisconsin. hot as to break the bottle-and then stand the pail and its contents on the stove. The instant the water begins to boil (not simmer) remove it from the pail and cool it as rapidly as possible.

Milk properly pasteurized is not injurious to infants, although it is not considered quite so good as clean, pure unpasteurized milk. Most doctors think it is entirely wholesome. Others suspect that its prolonged use may tend to cause scurvy or rickets. If such results are feared, orange juice, or its equivalent, may be given as a preventive. The dangers from pasteurized milk, if any, are slight in comparison with those from unpasteurized milk of doubtful origin, especially in summer where milk has to be transported any considerable distance before delivery.