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that neither in those samples taken from sources found in 1907-8 to he
tuberculous, nor in those taken from sources which had hitherto been
non-tuberculous, had the tubercle bacillus been found.
This is highly satisfactory and most striking, and I have given
careful consideration to the causes at work which have resulted in such
a remarkable diminution in tuberculous milk coming into the Borough.
As this milk comes from more than one herd or farm, and is often
a mixture of milk, though having only one consignee, it is sometimes
most difficult to determine its sources. In some cases, however, the consignees
to-day are the same as formerly, and though tuberculous then
the milk is not tuberculous now.
The disappearance of tuberculous milk can only result from two
causes, (1) that all the milk sent into the Borough is pasteurised, or 2)
that the production of tuberculous milk has been stopped at its source.
In pursuing enquiries in regard to the largest of these supplies
(coming from Buckinghamshire) I have visited sundry milk shops
and factors, and have inspected the farm and herd. The farm has
fortunately undergone no change of proprietorship nor destination of its
milk since the former samples were taken. The Lister Institute reported
that none of the samples of milk sent up were pasteurised, but as the
detection of pasteurising is by no means easy I made this a special point of
enquiry on visiting the farms. In respect to samples Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4,
which came from this farm, there was a herd of GO cows, and they were
healthy cows, well kept. In 1907-8 the farmer had been informed of
the result of our analyses, and that the milk he then supplied contained
tubercle bacilli. He was an intelligent man, and realised the gravity of
tuberculous milk. I convinced myself that no pasteurisation was taking
place at this farm; the farmer did not know how to pasteurise properly,
so as to escape detection, and, beyond straining and cooling, the milk
was delivered untreated. In response to questions, the farmer stated
that he had only had one animal slaughtered since the coming into force
of the Board of Agriculture's Order respecting tuberculous cattle, that
one being a cow that fell sick and was slaughtered, and the subsequent
autopsy revealed tuberculosis. He said he had had no further cattle
slaughtered for illness, that the condition of the herd had been, and is,
healthy, and they were now all young animals, and that he had recently
been more particular in the selection of his animals. A weeding-out