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36
Veterinary Inspection of Milch Cows and Sampling
of Milk for Detection of Tubercle Bacilli.—The quarterly
examinations of milch cows at the farms in the district
for the detection of animals suffering from tuberculosis of the
udder, have been continued by the Council's veterinary surgeon.
In all, 426 cows were examined, and, in 42 instances,
samples of milk were taken from cows showing signs of
udder lesions, wasting, or respiratory affections. These
samples were forwarded to the Lister Institute for biological
examination. Tubercle bacilli were found to be present in
three of the samples. In one instance two cows in the same
herd from which samples of milk had been taken on the
same day were found to be affected. The County Veterinary
Surgeon was communicated with in accordance with the
Tuberculosis Order, 1913, and the cows were removed from
the herd, taken to the Cattle Market and slaughtered. Compensation
was given to the owner, as provided by the Order.
With respect to the remaining case, the farmer had, two
weeks prior to the receipt of the bacteriological report, disposed
of the affected cow at the Cattle Market.
Thirty-two samples were taken from local milk shops,
and in two instances tubercle bacilli were found to be present.
In one, the milk was obtained from a shop supplied
by a large distributing agency in London. The sample was
a mixed one, and it was impossible to trace its source.
The other sample came from a farm in Staffordshire.
The County Medical Officer, the farmer and also the distributing
agent were notified. A report was duly received
from a veterinary surgeon to the effect that he had examined
the cows in the farmer's herd, and at the time of his examination
the cows were all clinically free from tuberculosis.
He, however, stated that some weeks prior to the receipt by