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4
These subjects are reviewed in the order in which they are
mentioned, particular attention being given to those which have
chiefly concerned the Sanitary Inspector and myself during the
past year, and to those which from one year to another continue
to occupy the attention of every sanitary officer.
Milk Supply.
At the Milk Board Inquiry held at the Middlesex Guildhall
on the 15th December, 1936, it was stated by a representative
of the tuberculin tested milk producers that one cow in every
three in this country reacted to a tuberculin test. This statement
has a direct bearing on the admitted fact that 2,000 children
die annually in this country from tuberculous infection of bovine
origin, and points to the urgent necessity in all cases of boiling
the milk or pasteurising it before consumption. Boiling the
milk reduces the risk of tuberculosis and other milk borne
infections to the vanishing point. Tuberculosis, Enteric Fever,
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria are all infectious diseases which
are readily conveyed by milk. Yet all these infections are largely
preventable by taking the above simple precautions, apart from
those affecting the individual consumer such as Prophylactic
Immunisation.
Numerous samples of the milk retailed for sale in the district
during the year have been taken and sent for bacteriological
examination to the laboratory at Hill End Hospital. Details
are given in the Chief Sanitary Inspector's report.
It should be pointed out that milk being a specially suitable
medium for the growth of pathogenic organisms is very liable to
occasional contamination. It is not, however, necessary to
take any drastic action in the case of an isolated sample being
discovered to be slightly below the prescribed standard ; such
cases are always immediately dealt with by a visit and warning
from the Chief Sanitary Inspector. Only in the event of a
number of samples showing that the conditions are not habitually
observed would it be necessary to take extreme measures, and
this of course we have power to do in accordance with the
Ministry's memorandum to the Milk (Special Designations)
Order,