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13
The inspection of cowsheds has reference to cubic capacity,
paving of shed and yard, litter, storage and removal of dung,
water supply, drainage, lighting, general sanitation and method
of milking. During the war the extreme shortage of labourmade
it well nigh impossible for dairy-farmers to keep their cowsheds
and*premises even moderately clean. From numerous visits
which I made to the dairy-farms in the district I believe that
the dairy men did their best to observe the regulations.
Inspection of meat:—This begins at the slaughterhouse
and takes note of the healthy or other condition of the animal
to be slaughtered, and also the hygienic state of the slaughterhouse
and its surroundings. After the animal is killed the
carcase and all its parts are carefully examined with a view
to detecting disease or any condition in the meat which would
render it unfit for food. Should such condition be discovered,
the meat is condemned, seized, and submitted to a magistrate,
who orders its destruction. The butchers of the district for
the most part voluntarily notify diseased meat so that few
cases reach the magistrate.
During the year there was no case to be brought before
a magistrate.
'The slaughter houses have been regularly inspected.
The premises are comparatively small and not well situated.
They have, however, been kept clean and the paving and
drainage in fairly good repair,
General inspection of foods, fruits, vegetables and other
commodities has been carried out as also the premises in
which preparation of food takes place.
All foods should be stored and exposed for sale in premises
that are scrupulously clean. Dust, flies, gases of decomposition,
etc., should be rigorously excluded. The covering by
glass and otherwise of meat, butter, cheese, etc., should now
be required of all vendors of these foods. The greengrocer
also and fruiterer who expose their wares to the filthy dust of
the street should be required to mend their ways. Once the
consumer demands and refuses to be satisfied with anything
other than clean foods a clean supply will follow.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
There were notified during the year 356 cases of Infectious
disease. Examination of the accompanying table will show
that four diseases accounted for 332 of these, viz., diphtheria
no, scarlet fever 42, tuberculosis 36, and measles 144. The
corresponding figures for last year were diphtheria 97, scarlet
fever 45, tuberculosis 43, and measles 22.
It will be noticed that the table shows the numbers
occurring in the five parishes and at certain age periods, also
the number of cases removed to the hospital.