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33
Milk and Dairies Act, and Tuberculosis Order.
The following is a copy of a report on the working of the Milk
and Dairies Act, 1915, and the Tuberculosis Order, 1925:—
"During the year 1938, 36 samples of milk were taken from
retailers in the district, and were submitted to the Lister Institute
for animal inoculation tests for the presence of tubercle bacilli.
"One of these samples, produced in Buckinghamshire, was
found to contain living tubercle bacilli, and investigation was not
completed by the close of the year regarding the cows concerned.
"In two other instances, the guinea-pig inoculated with the
sample of milk succumbed to an acute infection by some organisms
other than tubercle contained in the milk. It was, therefore,
impossible to say whether these samples did or did not contain
tubercle bacilli."
(B) MEAT AND OTHER FOOD.
Meat Inspection.
There are eight licensed but no registered slaughter-houses in
the district. These premises are kept under observation, 732
visits being paid during the year and 3,681 carcases examined.
Of the 205 beasts slaughtered, 71 were unsound in some
respect, the liver being affected in 35 instances of which 34 were
by parasitic disease and the other by abscess. One forequarter of
beef was destroyed on account of fevered condition, 64 lbs. for
necrosis, and 79 lbs. on account of decomposition. Tuberculous
lesions were found in the lungs of 26, the mesenteric fat of 11, the
liver of 9, the head of 10, the tongue of 2, and in other sites in 4
(commonly more than one site being affected in the same animal).
Of the 146 cattle (excluding cows) slaughtered, 25, or 17 per
cent., were unsound in some respect other than tuberculosis. The
percentage affected with tuberculosis was 9.5. The forequarters of
two carcases were condemned on this account.
Of the 59 cows slaughtered, 11, or 18.5 per cent., were unsound
by reason of some condition other than tuberculosis, one entire
carcase being condemned on account of Johnes disease. Tuberculosis
was found in 21, or 35.5 per cent. One entire carcase was
condemned on account of this disease.
Some part of 209 of the 1,561 pigs slaughtered was diseased,
more than one organ of the same animal frequently being affected.
The entire carcase in one case was condemned on account of
pneumonia and the forequarters of another because of abscesses.
Pneumonia was present in 8 cases, pleurisy in 25 and other lesions
of the lung in 1, pericarditis in 13, peritonitis in 5, lesions of the
liver 29 (parasitic disease 10, cirrhosis 18), and other lesions in
22. Tuberculosis was found in the entire carcase of 10, in the
mesenteric fat of 73, in the head of 70, in the lungs of 19, and in
the liver of 20.
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