View report page

116
(5.) That when the milk reaches Finsbury it is not infrequently
sold under conditions open to criticism ; 52 per cent. of all
the milk shops in the Borough were found to have one or
more sanitary defects, and 73 per cent. of the milk vendors
fail to keep their milk covered or protected from dust.
Further, 48 per cent. of the shops where milk is sold are
small general dealers, doing a daily milk trade of only a
few quarts or pints.
(6.) That on the average returns of the last ten years, it appears
that 25 per cent. of all the milk tested was found to be
adulterated; in 1901, the adulteration was 22 per cent.
but even then it was 7 per cent. higher than the average
for all London.
(7.) That there is reason to believe that Finsbury milk, and
milk generally in London, contains great bacterial contamination.
Four unpreserved samples of milk, selected
from two good class and two poor class milkshops, gave an
average of 2,370,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre, which
is about 2,000,000 bacteria in excess of what should be
present in good fresh milk. Of 25 milks examined in
Finsbury in 1903, 32 per cent. contained pus, and 40 per
cent. contained dirt.
(8.) That there is evidence to show an intimate relationship
existing between a dirty or infected milk supply and
disease.
As a result of the consideration of the special report above
referred to, the Borough Council, adopting the recommendations of
the Public Health Committee, resolved on prosecuting the following
measures:—
(a) Enforcement of Existing Law.—The Council to
communicate with the milk-sellers in the Borough drawing attention
to the requirements of the law, particularly of the Dairy Orders, as
regards inspection, cleanliness, &c. ; and to inform milk-sellers that
they will be required in future to provide covers to all vessels