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“ discharged from the mouth or nostrils. We have found that even in
“ the case of cows with slight tuberculous lesions, tubercle bacilli in
“ small numbers are discharged in the faeces ; whilst as regards cows
“ clinically tuberculous, our experiments show that the faeces contain
“ large numbers of living and virulent tubercle bacilli."
A typical case of contamination of milk with faecal matter in the manner
referred to above was brought to my notice on the 6th April, 1908, when
an examination of the contents of a churn of milk deposited in the doorway
of a shop revealed an extraordinary quantity of filthy extraneous matter, and
the general condition of the milk being so obviously unfit for human
consumption, the Inspector at once seized it and conveyed it to the Guildhall,
where, after examination by me, it was condemned by the sitting Magistrate.
Samples of the milk were submitted to both your Bacteriologist and
Public Analyst. The former reported that the sample contained a considerable
amount of dirt (faeces and clumps of leucocytes), and that the result of
the action of the milk upon the guineapigs injected was as follows :—
" St. Bartholomew's Hospital, E.C.,
" April 30th, 1908.
"Re MILK SAMPLE No. 4.
" P. M.
" Guineapig, peritoneal :—
" Abscess in omentum and on Liver, pus crowded with staphylococci,
" no tubercle.
Guineapig, subcutaneous :—
" Local abscess, pus contains, in almost pure culture, staphylococci
'• pyogenes. Viscera normal.
(signed) E. Klein."
Dr. Teed's chemical analysis showed that the sample was that of a poor
milk, but it complied with the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act,
although the sample was very dirty.
It will be obvious that the results obtained by these experts fully justified
the action of the Inspector in seizing the milk, and the Magistrate in
condemning it.
The wholesale dealer, as is customary in any question of dirty or unsound
milk, was called upon to immediately furnish—
i. A certificate from the Medical Officer of Health for the District in
which the farm yielding the supply was situated as to the condition
thereof, and
ii. A certi6cate from a Veterinary Surgeon as to the health of the
cows thereon.