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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
suitable for occupation. As soon as any hut becomes vacant it is demolished.
In the meantime, steps are taken to secure that there shall not be any sanitary
breakdown.
The absence of outbreaks of sickness in the camps was no doubt largely due
to the prompt measures taken in the early stages of the movement.
(C) INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
MILK SUPPLY.
There are no cowkeepers in the district and we have no dairies where milk is
handled or treated.
There are 38 premises on the register for the retail of pre-packed supplies.
In addition, there are six milk purveyors who occupy premises in other districts,
but who retail in Barking.
In Appendix F a table is given which sets out the results of the bacteriological
examination of various samples.
Barking's milk supply is now provided by three multiple companies who
bring their milk from processing depots, after heat treatment, in other districts.
In earlier Reports, I have called attention to the difficulties which have arisen since
the rationalisation of distribution. It can be stated that during the past year, the
delivery at the home in the summer has been better and there were less complaints
of souring in consequence. With milk in short supply, souring to the householder
becomes a serious matter when replacement milk is not available and anything
which can be done to safeguard our supplies is to be supported.
There were, during the year, 60 samples of milk submitted to biological
examination for the presence of tubercle.
In two cases the guinea pig died prematurely.
In no case was there a positive result.
The following table shows the number of licences granted during the year for
the sale of graded milks under the Milk (Special Designations) Orders, 1936 and
1938 :—
Tuberculin Tested 10
Pasteurised 13
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