118 



TUBERCLE 



milk pasteurisation or sterilisation, is calculated to 

 do much harm and to render sanitary authorities 

 and their officers somewhat lax in connection with 

 the protecting of meat and milk supplies from con- 

 tamination with the bacillus tuberculosis. In the 

 past, much energy and money have been expended 

 in this direction, and much hardship imposed upon 

 dairymen, butchers, and others. The general feel- 

 ing of the Congress was that, whether the Koch 

 theory were true or not, it was undesirable that 

 meat or milk, when asked for, should be offered 

 accompanied with bacilli of tuberculosis or any other 

 disease — a statement with which all people must 

 agree. Tubercle-infected milk is certainly not of 

 the 'nature, quality, and substance demanded,' and 

 so may come to be dealt with under the Food and 

 Drugs (Adulteration) Acts. 



" As it was felt that this outcome of the address 

 was unavoidable, and that local authorities might 

 be lax in dealing with tuberculous meat and milk, 

 the Local Government Board was approached, with 

 the result that a letter was issued by the Board on 

 6th September to the various local authorities in 

 England and Wales, impressing upon them that, 

 pending the investigations and report of the 

 Royal Commission, there should be no relaxation 

 on their part, or on the part of their officers, 

 in the taking of proper measures for dealing with 

 tuberculous meat and milk intended for the use of 

 man. . . . 



" With regard to the notification of phthisis, all 

 agreed that a voluntary or optional system, such as 

 that in operation at Brighton, Manchester, etc., was 

 much to be desired, and would undoubtedly assist 

 in enabling authorities to teach the people the 

 danger of the disease, and the importance of simple 



