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Mental
hospitals.
29
examination was completed, and of these, 158, or 7.5 per cent., yielded tubercle
bacilli, as against 8.9 per cent in 1928.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, information is sent, immediately
upon discovery of a tubercle infected sample of milk, to the medical officer of health
for the county concerned, who is responsible for the examination of the cows at the
farm whence the sample emanated. From the copies of reports forwarded by the
county medical officers of health, it would appear that 92 cows had been found to be
affected with tuberculosis and were slaughtered under the Tuberculosis Order, 1925.
In the case of 261 samples, it was reported that the injected guinea pigs had
succumbed to an acute intercurrent infection by some organisms other than tubercle.
In the case of 81 of these samples the Lister Institute reported that, in their opinion,
the deaths of the guinea pigs were caused by infection conveyed in the milk. The
facts relating to these cases also were referred to the county medical officers of health
for them to take such action as might appear necessary. Replies were received in
respect of 52 of these 81 samples and, in 26 instances, conditions were found which
might account for the early deaths of the guinea pigs.
Conditions which contravene the provisions of the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926,
are sometimes observed by the inspectors while engaged in milk sampling. This
applies more especially (1) to the temperature of the milk; (2) to the cleanliness and
condition of the churns. Contraventions of the Order were noticed as regards
(1) in respect of 25 churns and as regards (2) in respect of 18 churns. Details of these
cases were transmitted to the authorities concerned.

The veterinary surgeon confers with the farm bailiffs when making the inspections
and gives such advice as may be necessary. Improvements and alterations
are being carried out in several places in the buildings which, when complete,
will add to the comfort of the animals and simplify and assist cleansing operations.
The farm stock generally is kept at a high standard.
The cows in the London sheds are inspected under the provisions ot Section 27
of Part V. of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904, and Part IV. of
the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926. The veterinary surgeon makes a routine quarterly
inspection of the cows at each cowshed. The results of his visits are shown below:—
Licensed
cowsheds.
Number of visits to cowsheds 281
Number of cows examined 7,626
Number of bulls examined 7
17710
C