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ow did milk become a deadly poison in 19th-century New York City? Uncover the truth behind the Swill Milk scandal
In 19th century New York City, as the population grew rapidly, demand soared steadily, and milk became an indispensable nutrient for city residents. However, behind this boosted demand lies a scandal involving a deadly milk product called "Swill Milk". This story is not only a warning about food safety, but also a tragedy of the interweaving of social ethics and political corruption.
Origin of Swill Milk
Swill Milk refers to milk from cows that are fed 'swill' (leftover malted barley from the distillery). The production process of this milk is not natural, but is a response to the demand for cheap milk in cities. As cities expand and land prices rise, traditional dairy methods are becoming unaffordable.
As demand for milk grew, cattle were often kept near distilleries, an economic calculus that had deadly consequences.
The milk scandal came to light
In 1858, Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper published a seminal exposé detailing the many distilled dairies in New York and Brooklyn that had been fed distilled milk. A large number of infant deaths caused by waste. The report described the poor living conditions of the cows and the appalling hygiene conditions, and the truth of all this undoubtedly became the source of public indignation.
At the height of the scandal, The New York Times described swill milk as "a bluish-white mixture of real milk, pus and sewage."
Political and social response
However, the revelation of this scandal did not simply end, but instead triggered a clash with the political power structure. Politician Michael Tuomey at the time was committed to protecting the distillery and even suppressed related inquiries because of the interests behind it. In the end, despite widespread public outcry, it wasn’t until 1862 that the first food safety regulations for milk were passed.
Subsequent Impact
As the scandal unfolded and laws were passed, society began to gradually restore milk's image as a nutritious and safe drink. In this process, social reformer Robert Milham Hartley played an important role, using biblical allusions to promote the universal drinking of milk, portraying milk as a weapon to resist social ills and help eliminate poverty. Moral choice.
Hartley argued that milk consumption could help alleviate society's "sin", poverty and alcoholism.
Conclusion
Although the Swill Milk scandal may seem like a thing of the past in recent history, the incident played an important role in the evolution of public health and food safety regulations. While people are enjoying delicious milk, should they also think about the truth behind it?
