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93
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
nine cases have occurred, exclusive of the one which was
notified in Barnes, but which was infected in this Borough.
I am of opinion that no further primary cases will occur, and
can report that the measures which have been taken have
been successful in preventing an outbreak which might have
been serious.
"In accordance with the instructions of the Committee
I visited the farm in Wiltshire in company with Dr. Crookshank,
Medical Officer of Health for the Barnes Urban District,
and Dr. Streeten, Medical Officer of Health for Highworth,
in which district the farm is situated. With reference
to the condition of the cowsheds I may say that these are in a
most unsatisfactory condition, being dilapidated and dirty.
There were also accumulations of manure in the vicinity of
the cowsheds, some of which to all appearances have not been
removed for months. The cows looked fairly healthy, but the
udders showed evidence of not having been recently cleansed.
I was informed, however, that steps are being taken to reconstruct
the cowsheds and dairy arrangements. The dairy itself
was satisfactory, except that the lighting of that part of the
dairy where the cooling was carried on was not good. This
also is being remedied. I also inspected the copper where
the washing was stated to have been done, and there seems
no reason to alter the statement in my last report with reference
to this being in all probability the immediate cause of
the pollution of the milk supply.
"I made inquiries of the farmer with reference to the
child who had been ill in July or August, 1908, but could not
get any particulars, nor would he permit me to have a specimen
of the blood or excreta for bacteriological examination.
"The dairy is about 50 yards from the house where the
two cases of Enteric Fever are presently being treated, and,
as far as I can judge, everything is now being done to prevent
pollution either of the water or of the milk.
"I also inspected the water supply, and although the
analysis does not show evidence of any pollution yet it is quite