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119
Cowhouses.
Health on 7th December, 1923, with a modification of the proviso relating to the
slaughter of animals for the food of Jews.
The numbers of cowhouses licensed by the Council are as follows 1915, 154 ;
1919, 116 ; 1920, 107 ; 1921, 101; 1922, 100 ; 1923, 98.
Tuberculous
milk.
Under the powers conferred upon the Council by Part IV. of the London County '
Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, samples of milk forwarded to London from
places outside the county are examined. In 1923, 2,340 samples from milk consigned
to London railway termini from 34 counties were submitted for bacteriological
examination. Of these samples, 96, or 4.1 per cent., yielded tubercle baccilli as
against 2.6 per cent. in 1922, 3.48 per cent. in 1921, 5.9 per cent. in 1920, 6.5 per cent.
in 1919, 7.4 per cent. in 1918, 10.3 per cent. in 1917, and 8.7 per cent. in 1916. In
connection with these samples the veterinary inspector visited 91 farms and examined
2,927 cows. It was found that 68 cows, i.e., 2.3 per cent., showed signs of tuberculosis
or were otherwise unhealthy. In each case the farmer undertook to have
the animal slaughtered and meanwhile not again to use the milk. In addition the
inspector re-visited 408 farms, and inspected 11,848 cows ; all the animals examined
at these re-visits were found to be in a satisfactory condition with the exception of 59
which appeared to be tuberculous. In each instance the owner undertook to have
the animal removed.
At the request of the City Corporation a farm was inspected the milk
from which had been found to be infected with tuberculosis; 60 cows were
examined, but no evidence of disease could be detected. It was ascertained, however,
that one cow suspected to be suffering from tuberculosis had been slaughtered
prior to the inspector's visit. Three similar requests were received from the Holborn
Metropolitan Borough Council. Four farms were visited and 276 cows examined
but no evidence of disease could be detected. At one farm, however, a cow had been
slaughtered, and at another two cows had been removed prior to the inspector's
visit on the ground of suspected tuberculosis. In addition 104 farms were re-visited
and 2,774 cows inspected. The animals were found to be in a satisfactory condition
except 16, and the usual arrangements were made with the farmer for the disposal
of the animals affected.
Milk supply
and storage.
During 1923 four inspections were made of the cows in London cowsheds,
and the total number of examinations made was 7,370. No case of generalised
tuberculosis was detected, but in 125 cases other unhealthy conditions were found.
The Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, (i.) postpones until
1st September, 1925, the operation of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation)
Act, 1915, except in so far as it repeals the Milk and Dairies Act, 1914, and the
Milk and Dairies Acts Postponement Act, 1915, (ii.) empowers local authorities
(in London, the City Corporation and the metropolitan borough councils) to refuse
to register or to remove from the register the name of any retailers of milk when such
a course appears necessary in the interests of the public health, (iii.) prohibits the
sale or offer for sale of any milk as " certified," " Grade A," " Pasteurised " or under
any other designation except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the
Minister of Health or with his authority under the provisions of an order made by
him under the Act, (iv.) prohibits the addition to milk for sale of colouring matter
or water or any dried or condensed milk or any fluid reconstituted therefrom, or any
skimmed milk or separated milk, (v.) makes it an offence for anyone knowingly to
sell the milk from a cow suffering from tuberculosis of the udder, (vi.) authorises the
Minister of Health to make orders for the prevention of danger arising to public
health from the importation of milk for sale for human consumption. In addition,
the Act contains several other provisions in regard to the administration and
enforcement thereof.
With regard to (iii.), the Minister of Health made the Milk (Special Designations)
Order, 1923, which revoked previous orders prescribing the terms and conditions
upon which the licences in question might be granted. Under the order the Council