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98
For the past few years, it has not appeared to
serve much useful purpose to take samples of milk
for bacteriological examination. Not only are there
legal difficulties in taking effective action under the
Milk (Special Designations) Order, but the variation
in bacteriological technique and the conflicting
results obtained thereby render such evidence of
doubtful value. The draft revised regulations
which are now under consideration slightly reduce
the present complicated designations and do something
to standardise and simplify the bacteriological
standards. It is however, to be hoped that without
undue delay we may find all these complicated grades
of milk reduced to two: (1) Certified milk, bottled
on the farm from tuberculin tested cattle and with
a high enforceable standard of bacteriological purity
and chemical composition; (2) Ordinary milk conforming
to the standards mentioned but which
has been pasteurised and bottled in town. No lower
quality of milk should be sold for human consumption.
Some careless or unscrupulous milk traders are
occasionally found filling bottles in the street and
perhaps sealing them with discs taken from their
pocket-a practice both contrary to the Milk and
Dairies Order and to the principles of hygiene. One
milk vendor was summoned for the offence, being
ordered by the magistrate to pay a fine of £l.
A person was fined £5 and ordered to pay £5 5s. 0d.
costs for carrying on the trade of dairyman in the
borough without being registered. A summons
against another milk seller for selling milk from a
vehicle and receptacle not properly inscribed with
his name and address was dismissed, with 20s. costs
against the Council, on a technical point.
Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923.
11 Dairymen were licensed to sell "Grade A
(Tuberculin Tested)" Milk, 1 for the sale of "Certified"
Milk, 2 for the sale of "Grade A" Milk and 7