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201
PUBLIC HEALTH (DAIRIES, etc.) BILL.
In a previous Report I referred to the " Public Health
(Dairies, etc.) Bill," introduced by Government in 1883, with
the object of placing the supervision of dairies, cowsheds, etc.,
under the Sanitary Authorities, it having been found that in
many parts of the couutry the Dairies Order of 1879 was practically
a dead letter, owing to the failure by " Local
Authorities" (mostly county magistrates) to appoint proper
officers to inspect dairies and cowsheds, and generally to carry
out the provisions of the Order.* The object of the Bill was
(among other things) to transfer to the Local Government
Board the powers of the Privy Council with regard to cowsheds,
dairies, and milk shops, including the power of making
" Orders." The Metropolitan Beard of Works was still to be
the " Local Authority " for the Metropolis, outside the city—
an objectionable arrangement. Under the auspices of your
Yeslry, a strong opposition to this proposal was raised, upon
the ground that, while it was desirable to give the Board
power to frame bye-laws for the regulation of dairies and cowsheds,
so as to secure uniformity, the duty of carrying out the
bye-laws, by supervision of cowsheds, dairies, etc., should be
entrusted to the Sanitary Authorities —i.e., the Yestries and
the District Boards: these bodies having Medical Officers and
Inspectors accustomed to the work. The views of your Arestry
accorded with those of the Society of the Medical Officers of
Health, as expressed by resolution to the effect—
That it is desirable, having regard to the more effectual prevention of
the spread of zymotic disease by the agency of milk, that the special
sanitary supervision and inspection of cowsheds, dairies and milk
shops, should be entrusted to the Sanita,ry Authorities, the Medical
Officers of Health, and the Sanitary Inspectors of the respective
districts."
* The" Local Authorities" for Middlesex, and part of the County of
Surrey, are deserving of honourable mention for having appointed special
officers to carry out the provisions of the Order.
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