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262
1908]
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Upper Street, N.
15th December, 1908.
Dear Sir,—
I beg to report that I have just completed my annual inspection
of the Dairies and Milkshops within the borough, there being 29 of
the former and 528 of the latter.
I have directed my attention to the measures in use and to the
sterilization of the milk cans. With respect to the measures, I found
that in only a few cases the handles were in one piece, and that the
remainder had a space at the back which permitted sediment such
as rust, verdigris, &c., to accumulate. In every instance I have
written to the dairymen and purveyors of milk on the subject and
they have readily carried out my suggestions, and very shortly the
whole of the measures in use in the shops and milk rounds will have
been soldered, which will, I trust, prevent any deposit such as I have
mentioned in future.
I have now to refer to the sterilization of the milk cans. To
avoid the methods adopted last year, and alluded to in my report, I
am pleased to say that I have persuaded those responsible for the
scalding or steaming of the utensils used in the sale of milk, where
there have been no steam jets, to provide a strong metal cage or tray
in which to place the cans, and then to put the whole into a copper
of boiling water, thus ensuring their thorough sterilization. This
suggestion has, I am glad to say, been put into effect, and will bring
about a much needed improvement.
There still remains the question of milk being sold in unsuitable
premises, and I have given you a list of places which, in my
opinion, should be dealt with under the recent powers obtained
by the London County Council through their General Powers Act.
In conclusion I would like to slate that I found that the
general condition of the Dairies and Milkshops was much more
satisfactory.
I am,
Yours respectful,
JAMES R. LEGGATT,
Superintendent and Chief Sanitary Inspector.
The powers under the London County Council (General Powers) Act 1908,
to which he refers are contained in the 8th section.
The matter is at present engaging the serious attention of the Medical
Officer of Health, who will report on it to the Public Health Committee at an
early date.