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59
Milk Supply.
Each year a smaller proportion of the milk purveyed in
Finchley is produced locally, and the actual number of dairy
cows kept in the District appears to be diminishing. Towards
the latter end of the year, the number was 140, as compared
with 168 in the previous year, and I have no reason to doubt
that considerably more than half the milk consumed is
brought in by rail.
With a view of dealing more efficiently with the milk
supply, much greater powers have been obtained by means
of the Finchley Urban District Council Act, 1908, which
came into operation in November, 1908. In order to take
the fullest advantages of the milk clauses contained in the
Act a Veterinary Surgeon, Mr. Overed, M.R.C.V.S., was
appointed in December, 1908, as Veterinary Surgeon to the
Council.
By means of this Act the Medical Officer of Health:
(Firstly) May take samples of milk for examination for
tubercle bacilli; (Secondly) If accompanied by a Veterinary
Surgeon may enter the dairy within the district and inspect
the cows therein, and if he suspects that any cow is suffering
from tuberculosis of the udder he may require the cow to be
milked in his presence, and may take samples of milk from
any particular teat.
If the Medical Officer of Health has reason to believe
that milk from any dairy situated outside the District is
likely to cause tuberculosis in persons residing within the
District, the Medical Officer of Health, accompanied by a
Veterinary Surgeon, may enter such dairy and inspect the
cows therein, provided an order from a Justice having jurisdiction
where the dairy is situated, is first obtained.
By means of these clauses, the importation of tuberculosis
can be dealt with.