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The results were communicated to the Chief County Veterinary
Officer, and as a result the animals were examined by the County Officials,
two cows were removed and others isolated.
One bulk sample of milk was taken in October from the same herd
of about 37 cows and showed no abnormalities bacteriologically, but the
biological examination revealed Tubercle bacilli to be present.
In the meantime the herd had been disposed of, and at the end of
the year the cowshed was still unoccupied.
Eight samples from other retailers were taken during the year
which proved to be bacteriologically unsatisfactory, and letters were
sent informing them of the results. Three of these unsatisfactory samples
were from one retailer who eventually changed his source of supply,
while another ceased to retail milk before a repeat sample could be taken.
In all other cases repeat samples proved to be satisfactory.
The following is a summary of the results of the 66 samples examined
bacteriologically:—
TOTAL COUNT.
Under 30,000 39
30,000—200,000 19
200,000—400,000 4
Over 400,000 4
COLIFORM BACILLUS.
Absent in 1 c.c. 3
„ 0.1 c.c. 33
Present in 1 c.c. 2
„ 0.1 c.c. 14
„ 0.01 c.c. 7
,, ,, 0.001 c.c. 6
„ 0.0001 c.c. 1
These results may be compared with the standard formerly required
tor "Grade A." milk, which had not to contain more than 200,000
organisms per c.c., nor any coliform bacillus in 0.01 c.c. It will be seen
that 79 percent. comformed to the former "Grade A." standard. This
percentage does, however, vary so much with the proportion taken
from doubtful sources, or which have been previously subjected to commercial
pasteurisation, the former tending to reduce, and the latter to
increase the proportion up to "Grade A." standard, that it is unwise
to compare the condition of the milk supply from year to year on these
figures.
No samples of graded milk were taken under the special instructions
of the Ministry of Health, but the 66 samples examined bacteriologically
included two samples of Pasteurised milk, both of which complied with
the prescribed standard. There is no producer of Pasteurised milk
licensed in the District.
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