View report page

34
BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS OF MILK.
Samples Collected at Railway Stations.
A further series of samples of milk arriving in the City of London from the country was
collected at Liverpool Street Station in September and October last, and submitted to Sir
Frederick Andrewes, K.B.E., the City Bacteriologist, for bacteriological examination and
investigation as to the presence of dirt.
A duplicate of each sample was submitted to Mr. A. J. C. Lickorish, F.I.C., the Public
Analyst for the City, for chemical examination.
Every precaution was taken in collection to ensure that the samples were not contaminated
during the process.

The following is a summary of Sir Frederick Andrewes' report on the result of bacteriological
examination :—
Summary and Remarks.
Of 48 samples, 25 or 52% were microscopically clean.
„ „ 20 or 41% showed a small trace of blackish deposit, which I have
charted as " a trace of dirt."
„ „ 3 or 6% had a more definite trace, and could not be regarded as
perfectly clean milks.
This result, as regards cleanliness of the milk, is, I think, satisfactory, and is in marked
contrast with what one used to see twelve or fifteen years ago.
One guinea.pig was missing at the close of the experiment, but this in no way vitiates
the results in the remaining 47—on which the percentage of tubercle must be calculated.
Two guinea.pigs were found suffering from tubercle as the result of injecting the milk (deposit
and cream)—4.2%.
One other animal had a non.tuberculous abscess.
The details in connection with the samples from which the guinea.pigs, found to be affected with
tubercle, were inoculated, were forwarded to the appropriate Medical Officers of Health, and the
following are extracts from reports which have been received indicating the conditions subsequently
ascertained at the farm from which the milk was despatched.
Sample No. 9.—I made an inspection of the herd, together with one of our Veterinary
Surgeons. Five samples of milk were taken, and I have to.day received the results, which
are as follows :—
Samples marked Redwing, Snap and Spikehorn.—The samples of milk have been examined
by animal inoculation and tubercle bacilli have not been found.
Samples marked Ella and Muriel.—The samples of milk have been examined by animal
inoculation and tubercle bacilli have been found. The post.mortem examination of both
guinea.pigs inoculated with milk from the two above samples showed marked tubercular
lesions of inguinal, popliteal and lumbar glands, with spleen infection.
This information has been transmitted to the Suffolk Diseases of Animals Act
Committee.
I was subsequently notified that the two animals, Ella and Muriel, were slaughtered, and the
following report of the veterinary inspector indicates the conditions found on post.mortem examination
:—
Red Cow "Ella."—Good condition. Super.mammary glands. Inguinal glands and
mesenteric affected—very slight on thorax wall. Cow in milk. Giving tuberculous milk
and showing lesions of tuberculosis. Post.mortem examination showed that disease was
advanced.
Roan Cow " Muriel."—Good condition. Glands as above affected, thoracic wall
affected. Cow in milk. Giving tuberculous milk and showing lesions of tuberculosis.
Post.mortem examination showed that disease was advanced.
Sample No. 11.—I have to.day inspected the herd of 46 cows.
Have sent a sample of milk from two cows slightly suspicious only to the Ipswich
Laboratory for microscopical and biological examination. Am quite prepared to believe,
however, that the cow giving tubercular milk on Sept. 29th is already dead. For, on October
8th, I inspected a cow on this farm, named " Honeysuckle," affected with pneumonia. As
I had reasons to believe it was tubercular pneumonia, and as she had an indurated udder
suspicious of same disease, I advised the immediate slaughter, and when post.mortemed
the report was that she had generalised tuberculosis.