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6
come under my notice. There are three houses in Cumberland
Market at the back of which is a cow-shed; in these houses measles
of a most virulent form and low fever have been present, and proved
fatal to three persons. These deaths were ascribed by the Medical
Attendant in great measure to the offensive effluvia from the cowhouse.
Another case in Little Drummond Street was noticed in my
Seventh Monthly Report, where a death was ascribed to the proximity
of a cow shed. We may be sure that for every single case that comes
to light there are many others that remain in darkness.
I am convinced, gentlemen, that you will not allow the present
state of things (fraught as it is with such serious evils) to continue
unchanged. In what way can a remedy be provided? The most
effectual remedy would be to remove all cows out of the metropolis.
This, however, is a measure not to be taken hastily or without
consideration, and could only be carried out by an Act of Parliament.
It would, of course, be attended with temporary loss to individuals;
and it would probably be right that in some cases compensation should
be made. Several cowkeepers have, however, expressed to me a wish
that it were adopted, and have stated that in their opinion it would
be a benefit to the trade generally. At the present time very large
quantities of milk are brought into London by rail from the country.
In 1853 it was estimated that the quantity of milk brought by rail
was three million quarts; since then the amount has largely increased.
In this parish there is about one cow for 136 persons. Each cow may
be reckoned to give on an average about nine quarts a day, which
become probably about twelve after a due use of the pump. This
gives about a quart for every thirteen persons, which is no doubt
considerably less than the amount consumed by the inhabitants of
this parish.
If immediate expulsion be deemed too severe a measure, a system
of licensing and registering each shed and each cow might be devised.
No shed should be licensed until it came up to a certain prescribed
standard, and should only be permitted to hold a fixed number of
cows. No cow should be placed in a shed until it had been marked
and registered. On the illness of any cow notice should bo given to
the Inspector, who should consult with some skilled person as to the
course to be adopted with it, and if slaughtered whether it should be
allowed as human food.
This, however, could only be effected by an Act of Parliament,
which will certainly not be passed at once. The question then comes
what immediate steps can be taken under existing laws, and what
powers are possessed by your Board at the present time ?
The only Act at all applicable, so far as I know, is the Nuisances