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During the year 190 samples were taken in this way and it was
considered that of these samples 39 were unsatisfactory. A rather more
stringent method of bacteriological examination is made than has been
standardised by the Ministry of Health, and therefore general inquiries and
advice are given to the retailers rather than that proceedings should be taken
against them in Court. In case of grossly unsatisfactory results, however, this
latter alternative would be used.
Considerable attention continues to be given to improving the methods
of cleansing and sterilising milk bottles and utensils. Under Article 21 of the
Milk and Dairies Order the use of steam or boiling water for scalding all milk
vessels is required. The cleansing of bottles in which milk is delivered is a
matter which often receives insufficient attention. Milk bottles are included
under Article 21 of the Order and therefore should be cleansed by means of
steam or boiling water in the same way. Exposure of milk bottles and utensils
to steam is necessary for the protection of the public. It is also an advantage
commercially as when the bottles and milk receptacles are sterilised the milk
keeps better and the dairyman therefore gains thereby.
Milk Bottles.
A problem which affects both the milk retailers and the general public
is that of the disposition of empty milk bottles. These, if they are not handed
to the milk purveyor at his next call, should be placed in a position where they
cannot easily be contaminated. The door-step is not ideal for this purpose,
but is very much better than the method commonly adopted of leaving the
bottle on the pavement. This latter method gives rise both to a great deal
of bother from bottles which become broken through being knocked over while
on the pavement, and it also allows the bottle to become much more easily
contaminated than it would be otherwise. When it is realised that the usual
methods of sterilising bottles are gauged so as to sterilise bottles which are
only contaminated in a minor degree, it will be realised that if a bottle is heavily
contaminated the attempt at sterilisation may be ineffective.
Meat and other Foods.
There were four infringements of the Public Health (Meat) Regulations,
Part VI, in respect of insufficient covering of meat. These were dealt with
either by verbal caution or by letter.
During the year a total number of 1,606 visits were paid to places where
food is prepared.
At the beginning of 1935 there were two registered and one licensed
slaughterhouses in the district. During the year, however, one registered and
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