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Dirty Milk.—Four quarts of milk were found on the 11th January, 1909,
by an Inspector deposited in a milk pail for the purpose of sale, and in such
an apparently dirty state that he seized the milk and brought it to the Medical
Officer of Health, who confirmed the fact that it was unfit for human food. It
was taken to a magistrate and condemned as unfit for food. Samples of the
top and bottom milk were submitted to the Bacteriologist, and were found to
contain a large amount of various kinds and an abundant number of
injurious micro organisms. Proceedings were taken against the possessor of the
milk on 26th February, 1909, and the magistrate at Marylebone Police Court
inflicted a fine of £10 instead of £50 in consideration of the fact that the
defendant was in a small way of business. The magistrate was much disgusted
to hear that the defendant intended to strain the milk, and would have done so
and sold it so strained had it not been seized before he had time to do so. This is
the second dirty milk case in which proceedings have been taken in St. Pancras.
The Blowing of Carcases.—The carcases of animals intended for human food
are sometimes inflated by air being blown in them. The object of this inflation
is to render the surface of the carcase more tense for the purpose of facilitating
the skinning, and of improving the appearance of the surface, which is thereby
left more smooth after the skinning. The carcases usually so treated are those
of young animals, namely, calves and lambs. The inflation is made into the
subcutaneous tissues, that is, the connective tissue and the deep layers under
the skin. The process is performed by means of a blow-pipe, one end of which
is pushed into the subcutaneous tissue and the other of which is attached to a
pair of bellows or air-pump, or inserted into the mouth of the operator. The
latter method is obviously most objectionable.
Five Authorities have obtained statutory power to prohibit, and do entirely
prohibit, the blowing of carcases, namely, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield,
Derby, King's Norton, and Edinburgh. Sheffield has on one occasion prosecuted
and obtained a conviction of £2 and costs.
Leeds and Hastings also have the power to prohibit, but allow the use of a
pump, and Bradford, Croydon, Leicester, and Plymouth, although they have
no power to prohibit blowing, have succeeded by advice in persuading butchers
to use the pump in all cases. Bradford supplies pumps in the abattoirs on the
understanding that they only are used.
Other Authorities have no restrictions, but the general opinion appears to be
in favour of the total abolition of the blowing of carcases.
Public Health Regulations as to Food.—The Statutes, Rules, Orders, and
Regulations with regard to imported food will be found referred to in Part VI.,
Legislation.