View report page

Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1870—71. 11

In concluding my remarks upon this subject, I would express my regret at the injury
done to vaccination, and at the delusion practised upon those who have been re-vaccinated,
by the use of secondary lymph. Only virgin lymph should be employed. The failures of
vaccination have their origin from the way in which it has been carried out.
I shall make no remarks upon the remainder of the diseases that come under the
zymotic class, more than to call your attention to the difference between the mortality
caused by scarlet fever in the year 1869-70, and in that of the year just ended. In the
former there were registered 152 deaths ; in the latter 65.
Cholera caused thirteen deaths; two of which occurred in Southwark Bridge Eoad and
in St. George's Road, and one in each of the following,—Spiller's Court, Red Cross Court,
Elliott's Row, Mint Street, Friar Street, Walker Street, Duke Street, Tower Street and
Waterloo Road.
I know of no better opportunity than the present, of considering the part Milk plays
in the spread of zymotic diseases. The Vestry has wisely opposed the opening of new Cowsheds
in this district; feeling the utter inconsistency of such permission with promotion of
sanitary improvements. The overcrowding of human beings is an evil of too pressing
magnitude, to allow of an increase being made by the addition of cattle. But, besides this,
there is another important cause for reflection, and that is, the nature of the milk got from
Cows so placed. Analyses have shown that where Distillers' wash is given for food, the
quantity of the milk is increased, but at the expense of its quality. The seller is benefited ;
the buyer is injured. In every respect Country milk is superior to Town milk. The butter
made from Town milk is quite of an inferior character. It would be most unreasonable to
expect that Cows kept in so unnatural a condition, and so improperly fed, could supply
good milk.
New milk forms a great part of the food of infants and young children, hence of what
vital importance it is for the coming generation that the milk be genuine. It is difficult to
say how far milk obtained from diseased Cows is injurious when used for food ; but a little
while ago in Dorsetshire, a number of pigs died from being fed with milk from cows suffering
from Foot-and-Mouth disease. How many infants have perished from the same cause
is a question we may fairly ask; only with no hope of answer.
Proofs have lately come to light, that contagious diseases have been propagated by
milk. The cause of a number of cases of scarlet fever that happened at Penrith, was traced
to this article of food. The disease commenced in the small unventilated house of a milkman,
and reappeared in those families who were supplied with this milk. It is supposed the
milk absorbed the germs of the poison. But further, an outbreak of typhoid fever took
place at Islington, which was confined to families supplied with milk from one Dairy, and
more especially to those of the families consuming the milk. The most rigid and careful