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23
In four cases communications were sen I to the retail vendors drawing
attention to the unsatisfactory condition of the milk. Communications were also
addressed to the wholesalers and, where information could be obtained as to the
farms from which the milk came, letters were also sent to the Medical Officers of
Health of the districts where such farms were situated.
In reply to such communications a Medical Officer of Health of a Rural District
wrote that although the farm in question was found to be kept exceptionally
well both as regards the house, farmyard and buildings, the letter had been of
great help to the Sanitary Inspector of the district and any further reports of
a similar nature would be welcome. The Medical Officer of Health of a County
wrote that the Sanitary Inspector reported that the sheds of the farm concerned
were in a clean condition, but an accumulation of mud, etc., existed near the
brook where the cows drunk and possibly some of this mud adhered to the udders
and if not washed before milking got into the milk. Steps were taken to deal
with this condition.
In another case a large wholesale company arranged for special sampling
in the Holborn District, for sediment and bacteriological count and also for
samples to be taken at the railway station of delivery, these steps indicate
co-operation, but on the other hand, we are authoritatively informed that there
is often difficulty in ascertaining the exact source from which the milk is obtained
because a great proportion of milk sold in the Borough is a mixed product from
many farms.
A number of Medical Officers of Health have kindly supplied me with
information as to action taken by them for the detection of dirt in milk.