London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
This page requires JavaScript
63
MILK FROM TUBERCULOUS COWS.
The following table shows the results of examinations of samples
of milk for tubercle bacilli.
TABLE showing Results of Examining Samples of Milk for Tubercle Bacilli, taken in Willesden during 1910. Table No. 35.
| l | No. of Samples taken. 2 | No. found to contain Tubercle Bacilli. 3 | No. found to be free from Tubercle Bacilli. 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samples of Milk taken from Cowkeepers in district | 12 | *2 | 10 |
| Samples of Milk taken from Milkmen supplied by Cowkeepers outside of district | 21 | 2 | 19 |
| Samples of Milk taken from Milkmen supplied by Agencies distributing from a London Depot | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Samples of Milk taken from Milkmen supplied by Agencies distributing from provincial Dep6ts | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 40 | 6 | 34 |
* Presumably both from one cow. The first sample showed the presence of tubercle bacilli in a
mixed sample of milk, the second the presence of the organisms in a sample drawn direct from the
c »w which was the source of infection of the mixed milk from the herd.
It is interesting to note that one sample taken from the herd of
a Willesden cow-keeper was found to be infected by a cow kept
specially for "nursery milk." The cow was a "good milker," and
yielded an abundant supply, which was mainly reserved for infants
who were believed to be benefited by being fed on the milk of one
cow, instead of on the mixed milk, which constitutes the common
supply. Cow-keepers are genuinely surprised when they are informed
that their milk is infected with tubercle, and are most anxious to take
all necessary steps, even at the cost of serious monetary loss to themselves,
to rid their herds of tubercular cattle.