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91
cellular elements. The report on the milk from Savernake,
however, stated that microscopical examination showed the
presence of some pus, a few short-chain streptococci and
a noticeable amount of cellular elements. The report added
that a veterinary inspection of the farms producing the milk
was advisable with a view to discovery of the offending
cows and their removal from the herd until the trouble
ceased.
I immediately communicated the facts to the Medical
Officer of Health of the Wiltshire County Council, and on
the night of 23rd January samples were taken by the
Inspector from road tanks from Chippenham, Malmsbury
(2), Savernake and Chepstow upon their arrival at
various times at the depot in Hammersmith. Samples were
also taken from a churn of milk from a farm in the Savernake
district. This milk was suspected by the Company to
be the cause of the trouble, and had been excluded from the
Savernake tank. Each sample was divided into two parts,
one of which was submitted to the Council's bacteriologist
and one to a laboratory carrying out similar work by the
Company.
The reports differed materially in respect of the same
sample, and the figures are set out in the table attached.
On 24th January I received from the Medical Officer of
Health of St. Marylebone a copy of a report on a. sample
of "pasteurised" milk which had been supplied by the
same wholesaler. This report stated that on microscopic
examination there were numerous pus cells and a few
lymphocytes. The stained film contained a few streptococci.
The Bacteriologist stated:— "This sample of
pasteurised milk fulfils the Ministry requirements as to
bacterial content. This sample contained some 10 B. Coli
per c.c., which acounts for the acid reaction and is a
finding unusual in good pasteurised milk. Note also the
high content of pus, which is undesirable."
Upon enquiry, the Manager of the wholesale dairy
stated that the milk in this case had been received from