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276
1912]
apathy of the President of the Local Government Board, who, every Medical
Officer of Health knows, has this subject at heart, but rather to the exigencies
of the parliamentary situation. It is very apparent that the lives of the people
are only of very secondary consideration when questions of high politics are to
the fore. Our governors seem to think that the people are more concerned
about votes than about the lives and health of themselves and their families.
They may be right, although the Medical Officer of Health doubts it very
much, for after all everything becomes a matter of very small consideration
when a man's life or the lives of his family are endangered. It was said many
years ago by a man holding a very prominent position in the parliamentary
world that matters of public health were only undertaken by all Governments
as " stop-gaps," because there were no votes in them, as all such legislation
interfered with vested interests, and, therefore, raised enemies to the
party. This seems to be the case in dealing with the milk supply, because
the Bill introduced into Parliament has been shelved again and again, and yet
there can be no doubt that its passing into law would result in the saving of
thousands of infant and other lives annually. It is earnestly to be hoped that
another year will not be allowed to glide by before this much needed legislation
has been accomplished, and that the President of the Local Government
Board, who is so much in sympathy with it, will see his ardent desires fulfilled.
Mr. J. R. Leggatt, the Chief Inspector, visited the milkshops and dairies
in the Borough during the year, and reported to me as follows:—
2nd October, 1912.
To the Medical Officer of Health.
Dear Sir,—
I beg to report that I have recently completed my annual inspection
of the dairies and milkshops, numbering 493, within the Borough.
It is satisfactory to be able to state that the utensils in use in the
shops were clean, and that the sterilization of the milk cans is still being
carefully carried out.
I have, however, to refer to purveyors of milk who neglect to keep
the muslin or metal covers on the pans containing the milk. The reason
frequently given is that a customer has just been served and they were
just going to put the cover on again.
I have, in every case, emphasized the great importance of always
protecting the milk from contamination from flies, dust, etc., and it is a