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54
Tuberculosis of the udder in cows. London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904 (Part F.).
Under the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Order, 1899, the Council's powers were limited to
taking proceedings for penalties only in the event of milk, from cows certified by a veterinary surgeon to
be affected with tubercular disease of the udder, being either
(a) mixed with other milk, or
(b) sold or used for human food, or
(c) sold or used for the food of swine without having first been boiled.
In several instances it was found that cows, certified by the Council's veterinary inspector to be
suffering from tubercular disease of the udder, were sold by their owners to cowkeepers outside the
county, and, in order to avoid the possibility of the milk from such animals being sold for human food,
the Council sought power to remove and slaughter any cows suspected to be suffering from tubercular
disease of the udder. This authority was conferred upon them by Part V. of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1904. This Act came into force on 15th August, 1904.
Section 27 provides that if a veterinary surgeon appointed by the Council for the purposes of
the Dairies, Cowsheds, etc., Order, 1899, has reason to suspect, upon inspection, that a cow in any dairy,
farm or cowshed in the county (outside the City) is suffering from tuberculosis of the udder, he may
cause such cow to be removed from such dairy, farm or cowshed.
Section 27 (1) requires the Council forthwith, after such removal, either to agree with the owner
the full value of the cow at the time of removal, or in case of disagreement to cause the value to be
ascertained by a valuer to be appointed on the Council's application by the Board of Agriculture. Such
valuer is to give to the Council and owner a certificate of the said value.
When the value has been agreed or certified, Section 27 (3) requires the Council to cause the cow
so removed to be slaughtered and its carcase to be examined by a properly qualified and (if required
by the owner) independent veterinary surgeon, who, failing agreement between the Council and owner,
shall be appointed by the President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Other provisions are—
Section 27 (4). If such surgeon, after examination, certifies that the cow was not in fact suffering
from tuberculosis of the udder, the Council is required to pay to the owner the value of the cow as agreed
or certified, or £30 (whichever shall be the less), and a further sum of £1, and also to bear and pay the
reasonable costs of any independent veterinary surgeon and valuer employed for the purposes of the
section.
Section 27. If, after examination, the veterinary surgeon certifies that the cow was in fact suffering
as alleged, the Council shall pay to the owner one.third of the agreed or certified value of the cow or the
sum of £22 10s. (whichever shall be the less), and shall also bear one.half of the reasonable costs of any
independent veterinary surgeon and valuer employed for the purposes of the section, the remaining
half being paid by the owner.
Section 27 (6). The carcase of any cow so slaughtered shall belong to the Council, and shall
be buried, sold or otherwise disposed of as the Council may direct and as the condition of the carcase
and other circumstances may require or admit.
Section 27 (8) provides a penalty upon conviction of a sum not exceeding £5 for obstructing any
person duly employed in the execution of the section.
Section 27 (9) provides for the expenses of the Council under the section being defrayed out of
the Special County Account.
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 1904, there were three
periodical inspections of alll 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—