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With regard to the two samples, No. 7 and No. 23 (see p. 23), found to be
tubercular in this series, the following information was procured :—
No. 7, Suffolk.—The Dairy Company at once discontinued the supply,
and ordered an investigation by the Medical Officer of Health and a Veterinary
Surgeon.
It was stated that the premises were in good sanitary condition, but the
Veterinary Surgeon reported: "I have examined the cows—50 cows and a
"bull—for evidence of tubercular affection of the udder, and, with the exception
"of five which have been turned away as showing suspicion of induration which
"may be tubercular or otherwise, I detect no unhealthiness in them." The
Company wrote : "We are arranging for periodical veterinary inspection of
" cows as suggested in your last communication."
No. 23, Warwickshire.—The supply was at once discontinued. The
Medical Officer reported that the farm was in a good sanitary condition, but
the examination of the Veterinary Surgeon showed that "that one cow is
" suffering, in my opinion, from tuberculosis of both hind quarters of the udder."
These reports were satisfactory from one point of view only, viz., that
they demonstrated the value of the bacteriological examination of milk.
They showed, however, very clearly, that practically no care or attention is
paid to the health of the cows furnishing our milk supply.
Further enquiries simply elicited the fact that there was no system of
inspection, and that the Dairy Companies were quite content to take supplies
from any farm without taking the trouble to supervise the farmer, who as a
rule is entirely ignorant, or if he has any knowledge, prefers to remain silent
on the subject, knowing that no punishment can reach him for supplying a
dangerous article.
No action can be taken against farmers in the country selling milk from
cows affected with this disorder, as it was not included in the Contagious
Diseases (Animals) Act, 1878, under which the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops
Order was instituted, nor can Section 71 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, be applied, as it is only operative where there is evidence that milk
supplied within the district has been the cause of a dangerous infectious
disease. Some few towns have local Acts giving the Sanitary Authority
power to prevent the sale of milk from tuberculous cows, and the London
County Council is promoting this Session a General Powers Bill, which
includes clauses for this purpose, but these, as at present drafted, are likely
to be strongly opposed by the Corporation.