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25
Examinations for tubercle bacilli were carried out by animal inoculation ; none of
the samples examined was found to contain tubercle bacilli.

Dirt in Milk.
During the year 100 samples were examined in the Health Office for dirt; in one
only a trace of dirt was found.
This examination has the advantage of being easily carried out, but cannot
be compared for efficiency with bacteriological examination.
It cannot be emphasised too much that it is the invisible dirt in milk, i.e.,
bacteria, that the milk trade should endeavour to prevent. The effort, however,
to get rid of the grosser impurities in milk will inevitably bring the effort to prevent
bacterial contamination in its train.
A bacteriological standard of purity of milk will doubtless eventually be
demanded by the public.
It is generally recognised that the number of bacteria in milk is the only
safe indication of its cleanliness and keeping qualities. The introduction of skilled
milkers and the proper cleansing of cows before milking and of utensils are
essential for securing a high standard of cleanliness. Information was furnished
to one of the Council's Inspectors attending a course of lectures on clean milk
production that the adoption of these methods, without altering the structure
of buildings, has been shown in a number of instances to reduce the bacteriological
count from an uncountable number to well below 1,000 per cubic centimetre.
More depends on the intelligence and training of the personnel than on the
structure of the buildings. The success resulting from strict observation of the
precautions necessary is shown by the fact that it is not uncommon to get a
bacterial count of about 100 per c.c. in Grade A milk while the bacteria in ordinary
milk, a few hours old, may as shown in the table above run into millions.