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273
[1912
which was licenced to keep 12 cows, when only 3 cows at the most were kept, the remainder
of the shed being occupied by all sorts of lumber and articles not requisite in the conduct
of a cowshed, and which were harbouring dust and filth. Considerable structural alterations
are now being carried out here, the cowshed being lessened; for the time being, however,
no cows are kept.
In another shed, a waste of water owing to a defective water-cock was observed and
notified to the Metroplitan Water Hoard, and in the same shed, on a later visit, there was
occasion to complain to the licencee of the foul condition of the butts and flanks of one of
the cows, and an improvement was afterwards noted.
Offensive Trades.—These include 3 tripe boilers (one of which was scarcely used
during the year), 2 gut scrapers and the knacker's yard. A total of 87 visits during the
year was recorded, and observations generally were satisfactory; neither was any outside
complaint regarding their conduct received.
I am, Sir,
Yours obediently,
H. WILKINSON,
Meat Inspector, etc.
Milkshops and Dairies.—At the end of the year there were 493
milkshops and dairies on the register, to which 1,593 visits were paid by the
Sanitary Inspectors.
The inspection of these places is very necessary, for there is no article
of food which is so easily contaminated as milk; indeed, one of the great
sanitary problems, owing to the importance of our milk supply, is how to get
it in a pure state, for contaminated milk means the deaths of many
infants, invalids, and even of apparently healthy people. Everywhere throughout
the civilized world sanitarians are devoting their energies to secure
pure milk for the people, for it is not only the food of the rich, but
of the poor also, of the very young and of the very old, as well as of those
of persons in middle age. In fact all classes of the community, from the very
young to the very old, consume it, and its consumption seems to increase year
by year. It is unfortunately, however, a food which is easily contaminated and
infected; and, therefore, it behoves sanitary authorities to adopt stringent
measures to ensure its purity. The protection should begin at the cowshed,
and not cease until it has been handed oyer to the consumer, who in turn should
see that it is kept where dirt or dust or flies cannot reach it. We are told
by some trade (not farmer's) papers that a very unnecessary outcry is being
made by Medical Officers of Health, whom anyone might think on reading
some of their vapourings, were rascals of the deepest dye, because in discharging
a serious duty, they draw attention to the great dangers of a polluted milk
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