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39
"There can be no doubt that the most important of these is the gross
"ignorance which prevails among the poor as to the proper method of
"feeding their young infants."
The facts that in England and Wales during the five years 1897-1901
there was an annual average of 33,339deaths of infants under one year of age from
diarrhœal disorders (equal to a mortality of 36 per 1,000 births), and that no
fewer than 3,721 deaths of infants (equal to infantile diarrhoea death rate of
29 per 1,000 births) were recorded last year in the County of London alone,
will be amply sufficient to emphasise the importance of this subject.
As soon as the above mentioned results were known, the dairymen were
notified, and the position explained. They were mainly large dairy companies,
paying considerable attention to the question of purity of milk supply, and at
once expressed their willingness to co-operate with the Authority.
In nearly all cases the milk supply was stopped under the advice of your
Medical Officer and a careful and exhaustive investigation into the sanitary
condition of the farms undertaken by the Medical Officer of Health of the
District, and a Veterinary Surgeon.
The results of such inspection may be briefly summarised:—
Wiltshire (13).—Three cows removed by Veterinary Surgeon (two cows
had lost one quarter each, and the other had an indurated quarter, and
removed from herd).
"No water laid on in the shed. Flooring uneven.
"The hips and flanks, and in some cases the tails, were dirty."
Somerset (20).—All animals found healthy, and premises in excellent
"sanitary condition."
Suffolk (21). — Animals healthy. Order made by District Council and
carried out." Two cowhouses to be cleansed, repaired and limewashed,
"drains and grating repaired, new pond cleaned out."
Essex (22).—Cows certified by Veterinary Surgeon to" be healthy and
"with normal temperatures, and free from any disease." It was subsequently
found that one cow had a high temperature, and was isolated. Samples of
milk from this animal sent to Dr. Klein.
No sanitary defects were reported.
Staffordshire (29).—One cow "affected with catarrhal mastitis in one
"quarter, associated with an erythemal eruption of the skin of the udder."
This animal was removed from the herd and sold.
"Lancet,"
Feb., 1903,
p. 374.
Dr. J. M.
Tatham.