View report page

12
It is quite possible to produce clean milk ; the Americans
have done it, A system of grading milk according to purity
and cleanliness was instituted in January, 1912, in the City of
New York. At that time 40 per cent. of the City's supply fell
within the definition of the lowest grade, C (milk for cooking
purposes). In two years this grade had practically disappeared
; and during 1918 15 per cent. of the total supply was
grade A, and 85 per cent, grade B. For grade C there was no
longer any demand, as the people had learnt to appreciate the
value of higher grades. The milk traders removed the contaminating
conditions when they had to publish the fact that
the milk they sold was in the lowest category. The removal
of the contaminating conditions were well within the capacity
of all producers and dealers, and did not involve any increase
in the cost of milk to the consumer.
The milk sold in English towns if ordered in New York
would be classed in Grade C.
The great value of milk as a food is a cogent reason for
largely increasing its supply. The consumption in New York
per head per day is nearly twice that in London. Again, the
poorer districts in New York use 40 per cent, more per head
than do the wealthier districts.
The bulk of the milk supplied to Harrow comes from
various districts outside, some of which are at considerable
distances. The few dairy farms in the district were inspected
many times during the year: the findings were much
the same as in 1919. The Veterinary Inspector's reports
show that no animal suffered from tuberculosis.
No action was taken during the year under the Dairies,
Cowsheds and Milkshops Orders of 1885 and 1889.
Under the Milk (Mothers' and Children's) Order, 1918, a
sub-committee of the Public Health Committee enquires into
the circumstances of applicants for milk either free or at a
reduced price, and recommends accordingly. These necessitous
people are for the most part discovered in the first instances
at the Infant Welfare Centre or by the Health Visitors on
their rounds. Some are recommended by medical practitioners.
No. of mothers receiving free grants of milk 1
No. of children receiving free grants of milk 1
No. of mothers receiving milk at reduced price 11
No. of children receiving milk at reduced price 32
'1 he milk of a good dairy herd contains more than 3 per
cent. of fat. It has been stated with apparently good reason
that a carefully selected well fed and carefully kept herd will
produce in the average for the year more than 4 per cent. fat.
The present fat standard of 3 per cent. should therefore be
raised.