London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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The following results were obtained:-
| Grade of Milk. | Total | Satisfactory. | Unsatisfactory. | Remarks on unsatisfactory results. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuberculin Tested milk. | 10 | 10 | — | — |
| Tuberculin Tested (Pasteurized) Milk | 28 | 27 | 1 | The sample failed to satisfy the Methylene Blue Reduction Test. The retailers were communicated with and further samples proved satisfactory. |
| Tuberculin Tested Milk (Farm bottled) | 20 | 17 | 3 | One sample failed to satisfy the Methylene Blue Reduction test. The Divisional Inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries was communicated with. Further samples proved satisfactory. |
| The other 2 samples gave positive results when submitted to the biological test for tuberculosis. (See below). | ||||
| Accredited | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Pasteurized Milk | 121 | 113 | 8 | All 8 samples failed to satisfy the Methylene Blue Reduction test. The retailers were communicated with and re-sampling ordered at a later date. Further samples proved satisfactory. |
| Sterilized | 34 | 34 | - | - |
(v) Biological Tests.—34 samples of milk were submitted to a
biological test for tuberculosis, two of which were found positive.
These samples were from milk produced at a farm in the Borough. The
Divisional Inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries carried out
an investigation and reported as follows. No clinical evidence of tuberculosis
on inspection of the herd. Two cows, one of which was stated to have had
an indurated udder, had recently been sold. Four group samples of milk
were taken. One sample, involving ten cows was found to be positive.
None of these animals showed clinical evidence of tuberculosis; four were
sampled, the remaining six cows being dry. These samples were returned
negative to the biological test.
(vi) Milk and Dairies Orders, 1926 and 1938: Inspection of Dairy
Herds.—Four inspections were made by the Veterinary Officers of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Ministry's Divisional Inspector
states that no cows were found to be suffering from tuberculosis.
(vii) Legal Proceedings.—6 complaints of the presence of foreign
bodies in milk were received and investigated. No legal proceedings were
taken, but representations were made to the retailers in all cases.
(viii) Registration.—No application for registration was refused during
the year.