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14
I am indebted to Dr. C. W. F. Young, County Medical Officer,
for the following figures respecting action taken by the County
Council in this district in 1919 under the Sale of Food and Drugs
Acts:—
Milk: Samples taken, 256; found adulterated, 39.
Prosecutions, 4; convictions, 3; dismissed (warranty), 1.
I understand that the number of samples given includes
informal samples. It will be observed that 15% of the samples
taken were found to be adulterated. Having regard to the vital
importance of the milk supply, I think that much more active
steps should be taken to enforce the provisions of the Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts, both by taking more formal samples and
by the institution of proceedings against all vendors of milk found
upon analysis to be adulterated or deficient.
No action has been taken with regard to milk affected by
Tuberculosis or dirt, owing to the fact that the provisions of the
Milk and Dairies Act, 1914, do not come into operation until
"after the war." In view of the fact that one cow in 50 suffers
from Tuberculosis of the udder, it is highly probable that a fair
proportion of the milk sold contains the germ of Tuberculosis. It
may also be considered probable that dirt is present in many cases,
as the standards of cow-keeping and milk vending have, it is feared,
suffered during the war, owing to the absence of the staff on war
service and the consequent inadequate supervision.
The Milk (Mothers and Children) Order, 1918, has been
administered by the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee, and
251 grants have been made. Milk was granted, either free or at
reduced rates, to expectant and nursing mothers, and to children
up to the age of five years on a graduated scale according to the
family income.
Meat.
It will be noted from the table on page 15 that although
much unsound food was surrendered, only one seizure was
effected under Section 117 of the Public Health Act, 1875,