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65
ST. PANCRAS, COUNTY OF LONDON.
Health Department.
Vestry Hall,
Pancras Road, N.W.,
March, 1900.
Sir or Madam,
Milk.
The Vestry of St. Pancras has had its attention directed to the question of
impurities in Milk, and such samples as it has already submitted to examination
disclose serious dangers to the public health.
In discharge of its duty as a Sanitary Authority, the Vestry has determined
for the future that samples of Milk be subjected to microscopical and bacteriological
examinations, and that in regard to samples found to be unsound, or
unwholesome, or unfit for the food of man, legal proceedings be instituted, and
that a circular be issued to all Cowkeepers in St. Pancras, informing them of
this intention, that they may take every necessary precaution.
These examinations of milks are made with the object of ascertaining whether
the bacillus of tubercle or consumption is present, and whether proper attention is
paid to the examination and maintenance of Cows, so that the milk produced for
consumption shall be healthy milk; and also whether proper care is exercised to
prevent contamination by uncleanliness.
As illustrating the results of such examinations, appended to this circular
will be found a Summary of the Reports of the fifty examinations made under the
instruction of the Vestry during 1899. No inoculation experiments were made,
but if they had been, no doubt a larger number of the samples would have shewn
the presence of the organ isms of consumption, at least this is the experience of
other Sanitary Authorities.
In case any Cow-keeper, at the periodical examination of his Cows, has
any doubt as to the perfect health and condition of the Cows, it would be advisable
as a measure of protection, both for himself and the public, to obtain the advice of
the Veterinary Surgeon, and to cease to sell the milk of such Cows until assured
of the good health and condition of the animals.
The common prevalence of tuberculosis or consumption amongst milch-Cows,
and the danger of infecting human beings consuming the milk, points towards
taking the course now pursued by many dairy farmers of having the Cows tested
by tuberculin, and removing those responding to the test altogether from the
sheds, so as to prevent others becoming infected. Although there may be some
little expense attending the course suggested, it should be regarded, as in other
businesses, as a means of insurance.
With reference to the avoidance of other contamination and the prevention
of uncleanliness, these depend upon the vigilance of the Cowkeeper as to the