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174
large percentage of the milk coming into London is tuberculous.
In view of the conclusions arrived at in the Report of the Royal
Commission on Tuberculosis (second interim report) that the
bacillus of Tuberculosis is introduced into the body through drinking
cow's milk, the need for legislation to prevent such milk being
consumed by the public is most urgent. It is, however, needless
to point out that any legislation which attempts to grapple with
the milk problem should be general in its scope, i.e., should apply
to the country as a whole, and, further, should deal with the
question from "the cow to the cradle." At present an Urban
Sanitary Authority has practically no powers until the milk comes
into its district.
The Bill which the President of the Local Government Board
has promised to introduce this Session in Parliament will doubtless
be found to fully recognise the defects of the present system
under which the milk supply of the nation is produced, and that
at last a co-ordinated and practical attempt will be made to bring
into line the various Public Health Authorities who are entrusted
with the important duty of protecting the public from infected or
polluted milk.
Fish Shops.
There are 68 of these premises in Battersea. In 48 of these
places fried fish only is sold; in 16 wet and dried fish is sold;
and 4 shops sell wet, dried and fried fish.
These premises are frequently inspected, and during the year
notices were served in instances for various insanitary conditions,
all of which were complied with. In addition, 54 inspections were
made by the Food Inspector at these premises.
Butchers' Shops.
There are 93 butchers' shops in Battersea, all of which are
systematically inspected by Inspector Chuter. On 57 of these
premises sausage making or meat chopping is carried on, the
work being done by hand in 42 cases, and by machinery in 15
cases.