684 VETEKINAEY HYGIENE 



the professional care of dairy stock, and the hygiene of the 

 cow-house, ought to have found its way back into the charge 

 of those who by their training and experience are legiti- 

 mately qualified for the work. But from 1886 to 1899 

 veterinary aid was ignored by the Local Government Board. 

 In the latter year the Eoyal Commission on Tuberculosis 

 forced their hands, by recommending that tuberculosis of 

 the udder should be included as a 'disease' under the 

 Diseases of Animals Act on the certificate of a veterinary 

 surgeon. As a result an Order had to be issued by the Local 

 Government Board, which once more brought back to the 

 dairy the only person with any knowledge of the subject, 

 though at present with but modified powers. 



It is interesting to note that when the Local Government 

 Board drew the attention of the Councils of Eural Districts 

 to this new departure, they made the following remarks : 



' The Board think that it will be competent for the Council to employ 

 and pay a veterinary surgeon with the view of obtaining a certificate 

 under the Article as amended, or to appoint him as an officer for this 

 purpose, if they think fit to do so.' 



The object of this instruction is not very clear. It is 

 evident a veterinary certificate could not be obtained without 

 employing a veterinary surgeon, and it is quite certain that 

 if employed he has to be paid. This suggested appointment 

 as an officer /or this purpose is not without significance. 



Article 13a of the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops 

 Order of 1885 provides ' For the inspection of cattle in 

 dairies.' This as matters at present stand, and as the 

 Local Government Board intended it should be when 

 powers were transferred to them in 1886, falls to the 

 Medical Officer of Health ; by the previous Order of 1879 

 and 1885 it was the duty of the veterinary surgeon. In 

 the instructions to Eural Councils above quoted, it is clear 

 that the Board by accurately defining the veterinary 

 surgeon's sphere of usefulness to the determination of 

 tuberculosis of the udder, are bent on retaining in their 

 hands the veterinary inspection of dairy stock and the 



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