London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1903
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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44
PART II.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.
The County Council received during the year 282 applications for licences, of which 277
were granted. The number of applications for licences received during the last ten years and
the number granted are shown in the following table. It will be seen that the number of these
premises in London is continually decreasing.
No. of applications. No. of licences
received. granted.
1894 456 446
1895 427 416
1896 405 393
1897 379 374
1898 357 354
1899 338 330
1900 323 321
1901 306 295
1902 294 291
1903 282 277
The cows in the London cowsheds were periodically inspected by Mr. W.F. Shaw, the
County Council's veterinary inspector, and his assistant, with a view to certification under the
Order of 1899 of any cow suffering from tuberculous disease of the udder. Thus, during 1903,
there were four quarterly inspections of all the cows in the London cowsheds. The number of
cows found by Mr. Shaw to be affected in one or another way is shown in the following table—
| 1st quarter. | 2nd quarter. | 3rd quarter. | 4th quarter. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of cows examined | 4,027 | 3,983 | 3,997 | 3,676 |
| Affected with disease or defects of the udder | 245 | 195 | 251 | 228 |
| Affected with tubercular disease of the udder | 3 | 3 | 3 | — |
| Suspected cases of tubercular disease of the udder | 4 | 5 | 8 | — |
| Subjects of acute mastitis | 30 | 22 | 37 | 19 |
| Clinically affected with chronic induration of the udder | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Atrophy of one or more quarters | 140 | 98 | 117 | 112 |
| Injuries, abscesses, simple eruptions, strictures and obliterations of milk ducts | 26 | 34 | 44 | 43 |
| Hypertrophied udders without induration | — | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Giving milk of poor quality, dried.off cows | 31 | 20 | 36 | 35 |
| Recovered or removed from premises | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Mr. Shaw's reports also show the action taken for the elimination of tuberculous cows
from the London cowsheds, thus—
First quarterly report.
Three cows affected with tubercular disease of the udder were removed from sheds for
slaughter. Five cows with no signs of tubercular disease of the udder, but with visible signs of
tuberculosis, were slaughtered— three at knackers' yards and two at public slaughter.houses; the
carcase of one, being unfit for food, was destroyed.
Second quarterly report.
Three cows affected with tubercular disease of the udder were removed for slaughter. Five
cows were suspected of being affected with tubercular disease of the udder. Twenty.two cows
affected with acute mastitis, and cows showing signs of general tuberculosis, were kept under
observation until recovered or removed for slaughter.
Third quarterly report.
Three cows were certified to be affected with tubercular disease of the udder— the supply
of milk was prohibited until these cows were removed for slaughter. One cow, not affected with
tubercular disease of the udder, but suffering from tuberculosis, were kept under observation
until sent to the knacker's. Thirty.seven cows were affected with mastitis, and eight suspected
cases of tubercular disease of the udder, and five of chronic induration of the udder were reported.
All were kept under observation until recovered or removed for slaughter.
Fourth quarterly report.
Nineteen cows were affected with acute mastitis, and seven with chronic induration of the
udder. All were kept under observation until they recovered or were removed for slaughter. Of
six cows presenting clinical symptoms of tuberculosis two were sent to the knackers the day after