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74
Our Surveyor has made every effort to forward this
scheme, but as yet without effect. No doubt the overflow
of sewage matter into the houses must have seriously
affected the health of many families, and therefore demands
an immediate remedy.
Cow-houses, &c.—It is a matter of satisfaction that the
very necessary regulations introduced during the year for
the control of the Cowhouses have produced excellent
results in this subdistrict. The improvements have been
carried out cheerfully and efficiently by the proprietors,
though in some cases requiring great alteration, even (in
one) re-building of the entire premises. I am certain that
the regulations will improve the quality and purity of the
milk by increasing the health of the animals, and restore
public confidence in the use of one of the most valuable
of our food supplies. The regulations admirably meet the
wants of the milk trade, except in one particular, viz., the
diseased condition of the cows. It is a fact of great
importance that tubercular diseases are capable of being
transmitted by cow's milk, and some sort of inspection
of the condition of the animals should be instituted by
qualified veterinary experts. Perhaps cows should be only
allowed to be used until a certain age for dairy purposes,
being then drafted to the slaughter-house. The slaughterhouses
were inspected as usual, and found satisfactory.
The Water Supply.—The water supply is now receiving
some of the attention the vast importance of the subject
demands.
ALEXANDER WALKER, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health for Putney and Roehampton.