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9
These are the two exceptions, otherwise the drains
were perfect. The water supply was also satisfactory.
Of 13 houses examined, 10 were supplied with
water direct from the main. The cisterns at those
houses which had not a constant supply were found
to be clean and free from foreign matter.
As regards the milk supply, 14 persons had their
milk from a local dairy. I considered it desirable
that a personal inspection should be made of the
different farms from which the milk was supplied,
and for this purpose arranged for your Chief Sanitary
Inspector to visit certain farms in Berkshire and
Wiltshire.
I may say that the farms were above the average
as regards sanitation, and in several the open shed
system was adopted, and the result was satisfactorily
indicated by the healthy condition of the cows. It
was shown conclusively that no case of enteric fever
had occurred at either farm for several years. Early
in September, a visit was made by your Chief
Sanitary Inspector to the Paddington Station with
the view of inspecting the arrival of the milk in the
early morning, and he reported the system adopted as
being most unsatisfactory. Whilst on this subject, I
must refer to the general construction of the lids of
the churns, which are concave instead of convex, and
have a natural tendency to collect dust and other
impurities. They should undoubtedly be condemned
and replaced by an improved cover which prevents
any impurities getting to the milk, similar to those in
use by several of our local dairies.