686 VETEEINARY HYGIENE 



The same condition applies, as we saw in dealing with 

 Meat Inspection. The private slaughter-house outside the 

 boundary of a city can do as it likes, while a few yards, 

 perhaps, further away, the most rigid system of meat 

 inspection is enforced. 



The fact is that the old error of permissive legislation 

 here exists, a system we have many times alluded to in 

 these pages ; it is a blot on our administration and our 

 national common-sense, and the earlier it is removed the 

 better. 



Certain urban authorities have recognised the absurdity 

 of rural authorities being permitted to accept or reject 

 regulations framed for the public good, and have en- 

 deavoured by obtaining extra Parliamentary powers to 

 neutralize the apathy and indifference of the rural 

 authorities surrounding their cities. But even with these 

 the value of the work is greatly curtailed, owing to the 

 restrictions imposed ; an example of these will suffice. 



If the Municipal Authorities of certain cities suspect the 

 milk-supply of a dairy in a Eural District, they have 

 power to examine the suspected cows, but before doing so 

 they must have some evidence laid before them on which 

 to act. Assuming it is a ease of supposed tuberculosis, the 

 evidence must be such as may be supplied by a micro- 

 scopical examination of the milk. As all milk from a 

 dairy is mixed, the chance of detecting a culprit by the 

 microscope is at best remote. However, assuming suffi- 

 cient facts have been accumulated to warrant an inspection 

 of the suspected dairy, an order from a magistrate is then 

 required, and after due notice has been given to the owner 

 of the suspected stock a veterinary inspection is made, 

 with the possible result that during this process of circum- 

 locution the suspected cow or cows have disappeared. 



In Scotland the matter is much better arranged ; there 

 the Medical Officer of Health reports direct to the local 

 authority in which the suspected dairy is situated, and 

 they are compelled to send a medical and veterinary officer 

 to inspect and report. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



