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48
The following is an extract from the Annual Report of the County
Medical Officer for the year 1946: In regard to milk production, samples
are being taken by inspectors of the Public Control Department either
in the course of retail or at the farms of origin which are in Middlesex.
These are submitted to examination for the presence of tubercle bacilli.
In 1946, out of 391 samples, 17 or 4.3 per cent. contained living tubercle
bacilli. Ten of the infected samples were produced in Middlesex.
Diseased animals were traced at ten of the farms concerned, six of these
being in Middlesex, and 12 cows were slaughtered. The routine veterinary
inspection of Middlesex herds is carried out by officials of the Ministry of
Agriculture. In 1946, 4,589 clinical examinations of bovine animals
were carried out. Tuberculosis was suspected in 19, and 19 animals were
slaughtered. The County Council is responsible under the Milk (Special
Designations) Orders, 1936 to 1938 for the granting of licences for the
production of tuberculin tested and for accredited milk. Before the
issue of such a licence, the farm is inspected by a member of the County
Council staff and the Milk Production Officer on the staff of the War
Agricultural Executive Committee. Enquiries are made into the condition
of the premises and of the herd and the suitability of the technique
adopted. After the issue of licences regular routine samples of milk in
the course of production are taken at the farms and submitted to biochemical
and bacteriological investigation with a view to ascertaining
that a satisfactory standard of cleanliness is being maintained.
Complaints.
During the year, 12 complaints were received regarding foreign
matter in milk delivered to consumers in the district. Summary proceedings
were instituted in respect of three of these, the foreign matter
in one being a piece of coke and the other two glass.
Complaints regarding the presence of foreign matter in milk bottles
would be reduced, if not eliminated, if householders and the occupiers
of other establishments receiving milk would rinse out bottles after use
and place them in a position where they can be collected and not allowed
to accumulate.
(B) MEAT.
There are seven slaughterhouses in the district. Even in ordinary
circumstances, very little killing took place there. From the early days
of the war, the use of these was prohibited by the Live Stock (Regulation
of Slaughtering) Order, 1940, though a limited amount of killing at one
was permitted.
S. 3 of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933, prohibits the slaughter or
stunning of animals in slaughterhouses except by persons licensed by the
local authority.
No regular slaughtering took place in the district during the year,
the only animals slaughtered being pigs kept by either private individuals
or pig clubs. Eighteen pigs were inspected, and all were found fit for
human consumption.