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2. The sale of condensed milk of inferior quality appears to be
enormously on the increase in Finsbury.
3. Milk, as sold in Finsbury, shows evidence of great
bacterial contamination. The average number of microorganisms
present in four ordinary milks was upwards
of two millions in every cubic centimetre, which affords
absolutely indisputable evidence of pollution. Further,
of samples examined 32 per cent. contained pus, and 40 per
cent. contained dirt.
CONCLUSIONS.
The requirement is a pure milk supply ; that is, a clean, whole
milk, unadulterated, unsophisticated, and without preservatives,
derived from healthy cows living under clean and sanitary conditions,
and protected from contamination (dust and dirt) and
infection (disease).
The enquiry, which has now been carried out, reveals a condition
of affairs in respect to the milk supply of Finsbury which cannot be
correctly described in these terms. The chief findings are as
follow :—
(1.) That the extent of the milk trade in Finsbury may be
guaged by the fact that not less than a million imperial
gallons of cows' milk, and not less than one and a quarter
million tins of condensed milk are consumed in the Borough
every year;
(2.) That 90 per cent. of the cows' milk consumed is obtained
from country farms ;
(3.) That 95 per cent. of the contributory farms are situated at
a greater distance than 100 miles from London, which
means that most of the Finsbury milk is 12 hours old
before it reaches the milk shop.
(4.) That there is evidence to prove that, as a general rule, the
country cowsheds, from which the milk is derived, are illlit,
overcrowded, badly-ventilated, and badly drained.
There is also little or no guarantee that the milk is derived
from healthy cows, free from tuberculosis.