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58
milking of the cows. They could include a regulation insisting on the
cowman washing his hands before beginning to milk, and on his wearing a
clean white overall during the process. I am quite aware of the fact that
some large dairy companies adopt these measures. These companies do not
add Boracic acid or other preservatives to their milk, for they have no need to.
It is the presence of dirt in the milk that is partly accountable for the
necessity of adding preservatives to keep the milk from becoming sour. If
the milk were produced under clean conditions, and properly cooled it would
not be necessary to add preservatives even in the warmest weather. Taking
for granted that the milkman is responsible for the Cowshed and its
surroundings, and that the shop and the other part of the premises are
under the supervision of his wife and daughters : I have nothing but praise
for the latter. I have always found the milk utensils and appliances in a very
clean condition. It was not necessary even to issue a caution to them in a
single instance throughout the whole of last year. The trouble encountered
in this direction was always with the small general tradesman. Police Court
proceedings were taken against 24 of the latter for not keeping the milk
utensils in a clean condition, and several others were cautioned. Milk was
taken for analysis in every shop throughout the Borough during the year 1905,
with the exception of a few, in which milk for analysis was bought during the
first month of this year.
At present no systematic inspection is made to detect the presence or
absence in the milk of tubercle bacilli, which are a cause of consumption in
the human being. A cow may have tuberculosis and yet give perfectly good
milk with no sign of bacilli in it. Immediately the teats of such cows become
ulcerated however, the tubercle bacilli swarm in the milk. Such milk ought
not to be used for human consumption.
5.—Ice Cream.
Ice cream is manufactured on 80 premises in the Borough. These
premises are kept under supervision by the Inspectors, and, in addition, I make
a personal inspection of each one at the commencement of every season. If
the premises are in any way suspicious, I have the drains tested, and I cause
a bacteriological examination to be made of the ice cream itself.
6.—Other Foods.
Rotten eggs are sometimes used in the manufacture of confectionery, and
as the Members of the Public Health Committee are informed from time to
time seizures are made, Police Court proceedings taken, and heavy penalties
are inflicted on the owners.