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177
In 1885 a new Dairies Order was issued, which enabled
the Local Authority to frame more stringent regulations,
especially for the prevention of contamination of milk and
spread of infectious disease through the agency of milk.
The result would appear to be very satisfactory. Many years
have elapsed since I have had any reason for connecting the
occurrence of infectious disease with the consumption of
contaminated milk ; and it is comparatively rare now to see
reference to milk as the supposed cause of disease of an
infectious nature. But legislation would appear to be
necessary for putting a stop to the sale of the milk of cows
suffering from tuberculous disease.
The defect in legislation qua cowsheds, dairies, &c.,
as in the cognate case of the repealed Slaughter-houses Act,
is that no attempt has been made to utilise the services of the
Medical Officers of Health and the Sanitary Inspectors
for purposes of inspection and supervision, the Sanitary
Authorities being ignored. The County Council, as Local
Authority under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Acts,
recognizes the desirability of enlisting the services of
Sanitary Officers in aid of their own staff, in connection with
dairies, &c., having requested that the Officers in the Public
Health Department might be instructed to assist the Council
in carrying out their duties under the Dairies Order ; viz., (1)
By informing the Council of any unregistered person carrying
on the trade of a purveyor of milk, and (2) By reporting the
occurrence of any case of dangerous infectious disease in
connection with, or upon the premises of any person engaged
in the business of a purveyor of milk. Instructions were
given accordingly.
L