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To this type of churn, I have always taken strong exception, and have made efforts
to impress upon those responsible the absolute futility of expecting milk to arrive in
London in a clean and wholesome condition, if sent out in churns which offer no obstacle
to the ingress of dirt.
Most of the larger wholesale dairymen are now adopting specially constructed
churns, designed to exclude dust and dirt in transit, and locked or sealed to prevent the
possibility of tampering with the contents, but there are still some, however, who
profess to believe that milk will not keep unless placed in ventilated receptacles. This
is a fallacy, which only continuous action on the part of the sanitary authorities can
hope to combat.
The final report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, issued during the
present year, settles once and for all the oft-debated question, as to whether or not
tuberculosis can be transmitted from animal to man through the agency of milk.
The labours of the Commission, which have extended over a period of 11 years,
have involved one of the most careful, scientific and practical investigations ever conducted,
and the value of their findings, especially in relation to the infective properties
of tuberculous milk, cannot be exaggerated.
Sufficient evidence has been accumulated in the course of this investigation, to
definitely establish the fact, that a considerable amount of the tuberculosis of childhood
is due to infection from tubercle bacilli, conveyed by the consumption of cow's milk,
and the Commissioners, in urging the necessity for legislative action for the improvement
of the milk supply, are convinced that any such measure should prohibit the sale
of milk from the recognisably tuberculous cow, irrespective of the site of the disease,
whether in the udder or in the internal organs.
There is a general concensus of opinion that the present method of conducting the
milk trade is extremely unsatisfactory, and although there is some measure of control
as regards tuberculous milk in London, there is an urgent necessity for its extension to
the country as a whole.
Every farmer who sells milk should be registered, such registration to be withheld
if the sanitary condition of the farm and its surroundings are unsatisfactory.
Every cow whose milk is sold should be subjected to the Tuberculin test by a
qualified authority, and any found to re-act, marked and registered in order that they
may be followed up to the time of slaughter, and specially examined after.
The segregation of healthy animals and those re-acting is essential. The sale of
milk for human consumption from a tuberculous cow (whether or no the udder be
affected) should be prohibited. If boiled or pasteurised under official supervision before
use, there can be no objection to its use for the food of animals.
All milk should be conveyed in dust-proof churns, locked or sealed, and
carried in specially constructed vans, and special precautions required to eliminate the
risk of contamination during distribution.
All animals slaughtered on account of tuberculosis should be rigidly inspected by
duly qualified Inspectors before being sold for human food.
The machinery should be in the hands of the Local Authority, but ample power
should be vested in the Central Authority to take action in case of default.