London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1923

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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60
Of the 38,817 bovine species (all classes), 131 or 0.34 per cent. showed lesions
of tuberculosis.

An analysis of the records shows that the percentage of animals with tuberculosis was:—

Bulls2.40 per cent.
Calves0.04 „
Cows25.45 „
Heifers11.11 „
Oxen1.20 „

The carcases showing lesions of the disease were disposed of as follows:—

Carcases Destroyed.Quarters Destroyed.
Bulls— per cent.25.00 per cent.
Calves38.00 „- „
Cows„ 47.621.20 „
Heifers„ 55.555.55 „
Oxen„ 5.005.64 „

It is interesting to observe that six of the calves varying in age from two to
nine months were affected with generalised tuberculosis, and nearly every organ
of the bodies contained lesions. In addition, three of them had acute tubercular
pleurisy and peritonitis, and another had acute pleurisy.

Ten of the calves were affected with localised tuberculosis and again it is interesting to observe, from a point of view of infection, the positions of the lesions and the age of the animals which were as follows:—

Number and ages of the Calves. 2 to 6 months.Parenchyma.Lungs.Situation of the lesions.Liver.Glands.
Glands.Parenchyma.
6-+++
1++++
3-+-+
Note. + = Affected. — = No lesions.

No lesions were observed in either the intestines or the mesentric glands.
All the diseased heifers were under two-and-a-half years of age. Five of them
were affected with generalised tuberculosis; of these, one was affected in the lungs
only; one showed lesions in the lymphatic glands of the head, tongue and lungs;
and one had lesions in the lymphatic glands of the head, tongue, lungs and mesentery.
Fifty per cent, of the cows affected with generalised tuberculosis and sixteen
per cent, of all the cows affected with the disease had lesions of tuberculosis in the
mammary glands, and three had, in addition, lesions in the uterus. All those cows
had been producing milk.
Certain Local Authorities and their officers have suggested that the Tuberculosis
Order, 1914, should be re-introduced. The above figures support the
proposal as tending to ensure a purer milk supply.
The following tables show the numbers of carcases, portions of carcases and
organs destroyed in the slaughterhouses and the cause for destruction :—

TABLE I.—SHOWING NUMBER OF CARCASES AND QUARTERS SEIZED AND DESTROYED AT ALDGATE.

Cause for Destruction,BEEF.MUTTON.VEAL.
Carcases.QuartersCarcases.QuartersCarcases.Quarters
Asphyxia (Partial)........6....30....
Decomposition....l....212
Functional Derangement................4....
Hydremia and Emaciation1....30....1....
Injury............221
Immaturity................1....
Jaundice................1....
Necrosis (Bacterial)................1....
Peritonitis........2............
Pleurisy........2131....
Pneumonia (Septic)l....7....2....
Pyaemia........1....1....
Tuberculosis285........6....
Totals for the year 19233064817513
Totals for the year 192224940....438