View report page

18
of a milk vendor come under such circumstances to be regarded
with suspicion, and while the difficulties of
discovering the cause of the disease are increased, the interruption
to the business of the milk vendor is far greater
than would occur if it could be seen that the drinkers of milk
from a particular farm were alone being attacked.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Order, 1879.—A point of
some importance arose during the month of September. A
death from scarlet fever of the child of a milk carrier was
registered. The fact was then ascertained that the milk
carrier had continued at work, but had kept his employer in
ignorance of the nature of the disease from which the child
was suffering. The Order in Council, Clause 9, states "it
shall not be lawful for any person following the trade of cowkeeper,
or dairyman, or purveyor of milk, or being the occupier
of a milk store or shop, to allow any person suffering
from a dangerous infectious disorder, or having recently been
in contact with a person so suffering, to milk cows or handle
vessels used for containing milk for sale, or in any way to
take part or assist in the conduct of the trade or business of
the cowkeeper or dairyman, purveyor of milk, or occupier of
a milk store or milk shop, as far as regards the production,
distribution, or storage of milk."
It appears doubtful whether there is here any provision for
the prosecntion of the servant under the circumstances
stated above, i.e., where the employer is kept in ignorance of
the illness.
It may be that the clause makes the master alone responsible,
as the person following the trade of cowkeeper or dairyman,
or purveyor of milk, or being the occupier of a milk store or
milk shop, and it is for him to make his servants comply
with the clause. But it is important to know whether the
milk carrier is not the actual "purveyor" of the milk. In
many cases he sells the milk as a vendor rather than as an
agent of a vendor.
SIMPLE CONTINUED FEVER.
But two deaths were registered as occurring from Simple
Continued Fever during 1883. They were registered in the
Kentish Town sub-registration district. In London 90
deaths were registered as due to this cause.