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5
The infection of Tuberculosis in milk can be destroyed by
boiling or sterilization, but since milk can be obtained free from
Tuberculous infection if the cows which yield it are ascertained to
be free from Tuberculosis by the Tuberculin test, it appears to
be unwise to relieve wholesale and retail vendors of their responsibility
in this regard by recommending the boiling of milk as the
only necessary safeguard.
Urban Authorities ought to have power to cause to be examined
cows the milk of which is sold within their boundaries,
wherever these cows may be, and should have the right to prohibit
the sale of milk from any cow which is suffering from Tuberculosis,
or any disease which may render the use of such milk
dangerous to health.
The addition of preservatives such as boracic acid, formaline,
&c., to milk by vendors should be prohibited.
The danger of the dissemination of Tuberculosis by the use
of meat from infected animals is much less than in the case of
milk, but it exists, and can be effectually presented only by the
inspection of the carcases of all animals slaughtered for use as
food. This can be best carried out in public slaughter-houses.
Urban Authorities should arrange for the notification of all
cases of Tuberculous Disease, and the thorough disinfection of
all rooms that have been occupied by Tuberculous patients.
All cases of overcrowding should be put down, and people in
every way persuaded to admit fresh air into their houses, both by
day and night.
County Councils should have power to establish special institutions
for the treatment of Consumption by modern means.
Every house newly erected should be on a dry site and dry
foundation (natural or artificial), and have sufficient space around
it to allow of free access of air and sunlight, nature's weapons for
killing all morbid germs.
The keeping of fowls, and other domestic animals, in small
back yards, should be discouraged.
The effluent from the Sewage Farm, under the improved
method of treating the sewage, has been much better, and when the
bacteriological filter beds, now in course of construction, are
finished, it should be still further improved.
Under a system of subjecting crude sewage to the action of
liquefying and reducing bacteria in the interior of a specially
constructed, but exceedingly simple and inexpensive anaerobic bed,
and finally subjecting it to a second treatment in an aerobic or
oxidation bed, they have at Southampton obtained an effluent of a
high degree of purity.
Under this system :-
1. The use of chemicals is altogether dispensed with.