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10
Parish of Saint George tlio Martyr, Southward.
bears bard upon the Inspectors whose duty it is to carry it out. They have to obtain the
articles for analyses in a way that is repugnant to an open and manly mode of proceeding,
and which must necessarily bring them into collision and discredit. Then the Analyst often
appears at fault, and especially with reference to two of the most important articles of food,
viz., bread and milk. The appointed Analyst declares that the sample sent is adulterated ;
another then is appealed to, who using the same sample declares that such is not the case,
but that it is pure. It is very desirable that Chemists should come to a correct and unanimous
decision about the mode in which these analyses should be made; or state clearly that
their tests cannot be depended on. Discredit falls upon them, and a wide feeling of
doubt is spreading concerning the result of the analyses they make. As matters now stand,
it behoves Vestries to be very careful about taking proceedings agninst those who deal in
adulterated food, inasmuch as should the Chemist fail to prove his case to the satisfaction
of the Magistrate, Vestries have to pay the costs. Dr. Tidy confesses that the analysis of fatty
matters is very difficult, and that perfection can only be arrived at by constant practice.
The milk question is assuming a widening importance in other respects than its wilful
adulteration, or as a medium for the propogation of fever. It appears that germs of fungi
which are thrown off from putrefying matter mixing with the air, will if breathed by Cattle
infect their milk before leaving the udder. Milk has been found tainted from Cows
having passed through sloughs of decomposing vegetable substances; under such circumstances
particles of dirt adhere to the udders and other parts of the animal, and which fall
off during the process of milking, hence germs are introduced into the milk, which speedily
decompose and set up putrefaction. Besides these sources by which milk may be rendered
injurious, the same evil consequences will follow from Cows drinking water from
stagnant ponds, in which various organisms swarm, .as the milk proceeding from these
animals will contain the same organisms*. These facts are of vast importance, and teach
the necessity of thorough cleanliness in all that concerns our health, and to a far greater
degree than we have yet thought necessary. We must have clean air, clean water, and
clean food. They also teach us what a large number of unsuspected influences are at work
in the production of disease, and over which Vestries have no control. We do not know
how far the condition of the animals which supply us with food influences the health of the
community. Such influence I believe extends to a more decided and greater degree than
we have yet given credit for. Clearly parasites enter and find lodging within us chiefly
with our food, and this fact of itself should lead to the exercise of care in this respect.
Much animal food unfit for human consumption is sold and eaten. This kind of business
is limited mainly to one class of butchers, and is very profitable.
As the sanitary laws at present exist, they are very difficult to carry out; they are
often involved, contradictory, and capable of different readings, whilst permission has been
allowed where compulsion should have been enforced. The Public Health Bill is brought
forward to remedy these evils, and may perhaps do so to some extent. But our knowledge
is not sufficiently extensive upon which to form efficiently a Bill of this kind. However it
is a wise step, and good must follow therefrom. We shall thus approximate nearer and
nearer to what is required.
* See Army Medical Report for the year 1872.