[Report 1938] / Medical Officer of Health, Worcestershire / County of Worcester County Council.

  • Worcestershire (England). County Council.
Date:
1938
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1938] / Medical Officer of Health, Worcestershire / County of Worcester County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    44/76 (page 36)
    The number of farms where separate milking sheds, known as “ milking parlours/’ are in use, is steadily increasing. These are special buildings used exclusively for milking in. The cow enters the building, is washed and milked, and either returns to the cowshed, yards or pastures. The ideal lay-out is one in which two sets of standings are used, the first where the cow is washed, from which she proceeds to the second standing, where she is milked. Mainly owing to the labour difficulty, due to inducements offered in other directions, I have noticed that the standard of cleanliness is not being maintained on several farms. One has every sympathy with the producer but trouble is bound to ensue sooner or later if any slackening off in the methods sets in, especially in the summer time when the Methylene blue reduction test tends to be more severe. Systematic sampling of the farms is now carried out following the appointment of the County Milk Sampling Officer. Sampling is carried out in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Health laid down in their circular No. 139/Foods, and the technique and time limits within which the milk has to be delivered to the County Laboratory are strictly observed. Special sampling outfits have had to be obtained consisting of long handled dippers, plungers, and carrying cases, all of which are sterilized in the County Laboratory, separate dippers and plungers being used for each sample. Special sample bottles are also used. With this appointment it has been possible to devise a regular routine in dealing with unsatisfactory samples. Where a bad sample is obtained the farmer is notified and arrangements are made for a further sample to be collected within a week to ten days. If this second sample should prove unsatisfactory the result is again communicated to the producer and he is advised to immediately get into touch with the County Dairying Instructress. She then visits the farm in an advisory capacity and assists the farmer in detecting and remedying the fault. She later reports to the County Medical Officer upon her investigations and arrangements are then made for an official sample to be taken by me. So far, this third sample has always proved satisfactory. Should a case arise where the assistance of the County Dairying Instructress is not sought, the third sample would automatically be taken, which, if it failed the test, would result in the farmer being reported to the Committee with the view to the suspension of his licence, This scheme is working very well, and in my opinion is much to be preferred to the automatic suspension of the licence following three successive bad samples.