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33
As to the ultimate fate of these animals I have no information, and it can
only be hoped that they were killed, and their carcases disposed of in such a
way as to prevent their being used for human food. In the third case
(No. 24) no evidence of tuberculosis was found in any of the cows on the
farm.
In the case of sample No. 20, injection in a guinea-pig resulted in purulent
inflammation, and when the farmer's attention was directed to the fact that he
was selling milk unfit for food, he had his cows examined by a Veterinary
Surgeon, who found that two animals in the herd were giving tuberculous
milk, both being affected with indurated udders. This was reported to the
Medical Officer of the London County Council.
In the cases of the dirty samples, the respective farmers were requested to
furnish me with a certificate as to the sanitary condition of the farm, and
although these conditions in most cases were found to be satisfactory, the
reports obtained in some instances would amply account for the unwholesome
condition of the milk.
As an illustration, I will quote from the report received in regard to
Sample No. 1.
"The smaller cow-shed, which has accommodation for 18 cows, is an
"old building which does not come up to modern ideas. It is a 'lean-to,'
"and the height of the back wall makes it difficult to keep the upper
"part free from dust, and the spaces between the rafters and the top of
"the wall are packed with old straw which tends to collect and harbour
"dust and dirt. The shed is not sufficiently lighted. The uneven
"nature of the ground at the entrance by the stable door will probably
"make it difficult to keep the approaches clean. Shed drained by an
"open channel to a small brick-built pit outside. The size and position
"of these pits make it necessary to empty them daily."
Milk produced under such conditions as these cannot be as clean as it should
be, and if an inspection of all farms and cow-houses thoughout the country
were made, similar and, in many cases, even worse conditions would be
revealed.
Inspection in the past has revealed many unfavourable conditions at both the
farmhouse and the surrounding building. Insanitary houses, dirty cow-sheds
and stockyards, carelessness in the personal habits of the attendants, improper
or insufficient grooming of cattle have all added their quota to the wholesale
dissemination of disease. Many cattle have been found to be suffering from
constitutional diseases, as well as local affections of the udder, and others have
been discovered in an unspeakably filthy condition, their flanks, legs, udders
and tails smothered with manure, and other dirt which readily drops into the
pail during the process of milking. In many instances the stock-yards have