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11
MILK.
No licence is held to sell certified or Grade 'A' milk in your District.
Two were granted early in the year, but the venders discontinued the sale of
this class of milk. No bacteriological examination has been made during the
year. The milk consumed by the public is only examined under the Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts by the County Inspector whose duty it is to see that
nothing is added and nothing taken away. It is a test to prevent adulteration
and no more. It has been proved beyond doubt that railway borne milk is
very often dirty and contains large numbers of bacteria, including Tubercle.
820 gallons of railway borne milk is delivered every day at the railway
stations. 16 purveyors of milk have their premises outside the district.
Milk such as I have described above is especially dangerous to infants and
young children. Indeed, the Minister of Health, in answer to a question
by Mrs. Wintringham, stated that the public could not even rely on the
hygienic quality of the milk on sale, described as nursery, invalids, or
guaranteed. The Medical Officer of Health lor the City of London stated
in his Annual Report that of a large number of milk samples examined,
one in ten were Tubercular. Sir Robert Firth (a military expert) in his
Science and Practice of Hygiene states " It is always advisable to examine
a milk sample microscopically. To determine the kinds of bacteria in a
milk sample is an almost hopeless task, but an endeavour should be made
to detect B. Coli typhoid, diphtheria and tubercle bacteria, which can be
done from a cultured specimen. Probably animal inoculation is the only
reliable test of virulence."
The Veterinary Surgeon reports that he could not detect any signs of
tubercle in the cows examined by him in the District. Railway borne
milk, not safeguarded by bacteriological examination or supervision at the
place of production must be dangerous to children and the public. I draw
especial attention to the remarks made by Mr. Tunbridge in his Report.
I trust you will take this question into your serious consideration.
There is little to report on the administration of the Factory and
Workshops Acts, which has proceeded smoothly. Any minor defects which
are noted by the Factory Inspector at his periodical inspections are notified
and given immediate attention.
In conclusion I have again to thank Mr. Tunbridge and the staff for
their unanimous and loyal support which has greatly contributed to the
satisfactory result of the health of your district during the year, and although
crowding conditions still prevail and might easily lead to less satisfactory
results the efficiency of the department has been well maintained.
I am,
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Council,
Your obedient servant,
RASHELL T. DAVISON, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.