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

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Uxbridge 1913

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Uxbridge RDC]

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6
Schools.
These have been visited during the year, and are in good condition as
regards Sanitation and Water Supply.
FOOD.
Milk Supply.—The Milk consumed is practically all produced within
the District or near by, and is of good quality. Samples have been reported
on from time to time by the County Council Inspector. The Dairies have
been periodically inspected. There are upwards of 350 milch cows in the
District, and 23 Registered Dairies and Milkshops.
It would be a distinct advantage, in view of the present effort to
stamp out Tuberculosis, if the Council appointed a Veterinary Inspector,
as the examination of the live animals is work which should be done
by a Specialist.
Under the present arrangements if the Sanitary Inspector comes across
a suspicious case, he has to report to the County Council, which then sends
down a Veterinary Surgeon. This involves a certain amount of delay. This
procedure was adopted for a case at Northolt, and two cows were destroyed
as a result. I take the liberty of quoting from the Report of the Veterinary
Inspector of the Uxbridge Urban District Council for 1912:—
"As regards the cases of Tuberculosis in Stock, the approach of more
efficient legislation with regard to those cases in which the Udder itself has
not been involved and has not hitherto been notifiable, will undoubtedly
prove to be of incalculable benefit to all users of milk.
"It means that every animal suspected of suffering from the disease
has to be notified to the Authorities; an investigation will then take place
on behalf of the County Council; animals found affected, valued, slaughtered,
and partial compensation to the Owner. Milk from suspected quarters
examined, and where Tubercle Bacilli are found these animals are also condemned,
and the milk supply from such a source permanently stopped.
"To my mind the value of the new Act which will be coming into
operation on May Ist, 1913, is very much enhanced by the fact that the
whole of the stock on the holding is inspected, it is not merely confined to
an investigation concerning the particular Cow or Cows first suspected.
"One or two matters will probably be introduced later on; the one
omission in the new Order seems to my mind of very great urgency—viz.: the
inspection of all the Cows by Veterinary Inspectors regularly, on behalf of