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38
ated during so long a period of time. Further, the farm and
dairy premises have been inspected by Dr. Tew, Medical Officer
of Health of West Kent combined sanitary districts, and the
conditions found to be satisfactory. Also, the cows have all
been examined by Mr. Shaw, Veterinary Surgeon, and found
healthy. No case of Enteric has been known to have occurred
among any of the dairy employees. There does not appear
sufficient reason for interfering with the milk business in
question, but it would certainly be a wise precaution for the
inhabitants of the district to boil all milk before use.
67. The conclusion at which I arrived as to the source of
the prevalence in West Park and Court Road has since been
confirmed by Professor Simpson of King's College Hospital,
who investigated the prevalence on behalf of a Committee of
the residents. The automatic flushing tank referred to above
has been provided. Although, like myself, he failed to discover
any actual source of infection, Dr. Simpson considers that the
polluted condition of a small watercourse running through a
field in which the cows of the suspected farm are turned out,
offers sufficient explanation of the infectiousness of the milk.
This watercourse received surface drainage from a farm and a
piggery in the Borough and various other pollutions from outside.
At one of these farms owing to the waterlogged conditions
of the soil it had been found impracticable to empty the cesspool
as often as it filled up, and consequently it overflowed
into the watercourse. This has been remedied by the Borough
Council making a special sewer to this farm, which is now
being properly drained. The piggery has also been abolished.
A letter has been sent to the occupier of every house in
Court Road and West Park warning them to boil all milk
before use.