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37
The work upon which this report was based was directed
towards determining the value of chlorine as an agent for the
bacteriological purification of potable water supplies, and the best
method of removing chlorine from the water after the bacteriocidal
effect had been attained.
The Council, after due consideration, resolved that for the
special purposes of this purification the chlorine method of treatment
with provision for subsequent dechlorinisation should be
introduced. Steps are accordingly being taken to carry this
resolution into effect.
TUBERCULOSIS AND MILK.
During the year fifty-seven primary and twelve secondary
samples of milk were procured and submitted for examination for
tuberculosis in accordance with the provisions of the abovementioned
Act.
The fifty-seven primary samples included twelve samples procured
from milk produced in the borough, and forty-five from milk
produced outside the borough, mainly from the southern and
western counties, and supplied to local dairymen, direct from the
farms, or through the agency of wholesale dairy companies.
Of the twelve samples representing the milk produced in the
borough, one was found to be tuberculous, the other eleven showed
no evidence of tuberculosis.
The sample which proved to be tuberculous represented the
mixed milk of fifteen cows.
The cows in the herd concerned were examined by the
veterinary surgeon; none of the cows were clinically tuberculous,
all being good-class dairy cows, well nourished, and housed in a
substantially constructed clean shed. Two of the cows, however,
had slightly abnormal udders (one weak quarter). These weak
quarters were not typical of tuberculosis, but were sufficiently
abnormal to be regarded as suspicious.
Secondary samples were obtained from the milk of these two
cows and submitted for examination, when it was found that one
of them was tuberculous; the other showed no evidence of tuberculosis.
The cow from which the tuberculous sample was obtained
was the less suspicious of the two.