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What is the remedy for this state of affairs? A drastic change in the methods
of milk production and of distribution to the consumer is necessary. We have in
Stepney 26 cowsheds licensed for 723 cows, some large, others are small premises.
One is licensed for 148 cows. Three contain oyer 50 cows each. Their construction
are not up to date, but this is not entirely the fault of the cowkeeper, as the London
County Council—the Licensing Authority—have in the past objected to any structural
alterations to the cowshed premises. The premises are kept fairly clean, and are
limewashed once a year, but the back to back position of the cows does not
encourage that cleanly condition under which it is possible to produce clean milk.
There are no regulations which compel the milker to wash his hands previous to
milking, and no clean overall is ever thought of. The cows are often in a filthy
condition, and are seldom groomed. It is not at all surprising that the milk examined
disclosed the presence of B. coli communis, showing that it had been exposed to
faecal contamination. The cowsheds in Stepney are not worse than those
in country districts.
No cows are kept in 3 of the cowsheds and in the remaining 23 the following
procedure is adopted:—
1. Milkers.—The milkers wash their hands before starting to milk the cows
in every instance, and in 1 cowshed the milkers wash their hands two or
three times during the process of milking. In another cowshed the milker
washes his hands before he starts milking the succeeding cow, and in
another cowshed, after every second cow.
2. Grooming of cows.—The cows are groomed once a day in 17 cowsheds, every
other day in 3 cowsheds, twice a week in 2 and once a week in another.
3. Overalls.—In only 2 cowsheds are overalls worn by tlu milkers. In one the
overalls are changed twice a week, and in the other when necessary.
4. Cleansing of coivsheds.—The cowsheds are cleaned out twice daily in 4
sheds, three times daily in 12 and four times daily in 7.
5. Washing of the udders before milking—No attempt is made to wash or clean
the udders in 1 cowshed ; they are stated to be cleaned before milking
if they are found to be dirty, in 3 cowsheds ; they are brushed in 1 cowshed,
wiped or cleaned before starting milking in 12 and washed in the
remaining 6 cowsheds.
C. Milking pails.-—The receptacles into which the milk is drawn is, in every
instance, the open milk pail, and in no cowshed is the modern, or improved
pail, used, which is so constructed, that there is less risk of dirt, manure
and straw getting admission into the milk.
The Maternity and Infant Welfare Committee, acting on the suggestion of
the Ministry of Health, instructed me to enquire whether it was not possible to
procure a supply of Grade A milk. I wrote to the National Clean Milk Society,