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34
Although in the last series there is anincrease in the proportion of "clean"
milks, and a corresponding decrease in the percentage of those found "unclean,"
the recurrence of such a heavy ratio of milk from tuberculous animals must
give rise to serious misgivings.
The City milk supplies have been examined on three occasions for the
bacilli of Tuberculosis. First in 1902, when 24 samples were examined
with negative results in each instance; and again in 1904 and 1905 with the
results as stated above.
The number of samples examined will scarcely justify the assumption that
the percentage of tuberculous milk sent from the country to the City has
risen from nothing in 1902 to 9 per cent. in 1905, but it may be fairly
assumed under existing conditions that at least 8 per cent. of the milk sold
in the City is derived from animals affected with Tuberculosis.*
However much this fact is to be regretted, it can scarcely create surprise
when it is remembered that out of 500 cows examined, after slaughter, by the
City Veterinary Inspector some evidence of Tuberculosis was found in no less
than 234 = 46.8 per cent.†
The great necessity of a purer milk supply has been largely engaging the
attention of sanitarians of recent years, but until the Dairies and Cowsheds
Regulations are properly enforced throughout the country it is to be feared
little improvement can be expected.
The report of the Inspectors who have been sent by the Local Government
Board to inquire into the sanitary conditions of various districts throughout
England and Wales show that in very many instances little or no
attempt is made to carry out the Orders in Council, which unfortunately are
not mandatory.
The conveyance of milk in insanitary railway vans is a source of contamination,
with regard to which many complaints have been made to the Board
of Agriculture and Fisheries, who state in their last Annual Report that
during the year they had enquired into nine specific complaints. In one
instance the Inspector of the Board saw milk being loaded in the same van
with fish, and in another it was found that milk vans on a certain route
frequently contained or smelt of fish.
One other point may be noted: Section 71 (1) of the Public Health
Act, 1875, makes provision for the protection of the public from the sale
of milk "likely to cause infectious disease," but unfortunately action can only
be taken when the disease is a "dangerous infectious disease"— in other
words, diseases notifiable by statute— and Tuberculosis is not one of these;
were it otherwise, this section might be of considerable service.
A case of much importance to farmers was decided in the Tower Bridge
Police Court on 12th May, 1905. The defendant, a farmer under contract to
supply pure new milk to a firm of wholesale milk distributors, was summoned
* This has been confirmed by further experiment.
† Vide Annual Report, Veterinary Inspector, to the Cattle Markets Committee, for the year 1901.