MILK AND TUBERCULOSIS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1907, Page 6

MILK AND TUBERCULOSIS.

» Half-a-down years ego Dr. Koch startled the medical world by declaring his belief that bovine tuberculosis was not communicable to man,- He was opposed by many eminent authorities, and these experts appear to have gained the day. A leport of a Royal Commission declares that it haa been shown that bovine animals and man can be reciprocally infected witb tuberculosis, and, of course, this verdict carries an important " rider "—"" — " more stringent measures aro required for the inspection and sale of milk." This cable message necessarily revives interest in the vitally important subject of city milk supplies. Time after time, tho Chief Health Officer, aupported by the press, has endeavoured to effect a much-needed reformation in the present sy6tem, but the people liavo remained content to run a risk of contracting a serious disease any day. Many are too careless to even properly cleanse their jugs for the reception of the milk, which, as every one knows, is a splendid medium for the cultivation of bacteria. Tho timo hao come wfien the people should be saved from the evils of their own carelessness. Reference to our newa columns will show that Dr. Mason has again outlined a feasible scheme for ensuring cleanliness in milk, in its passage from the cow to tho infant or adult, nnd common-sense demands that his words should not be ignored. It is common knowledge that there has been much slaughter of infants in Now Zealand by impure milk, and who knows how many people have gone to death from the same cause. Wellington people have a reputation for apathy on questions of large public interest, and the recent polling for a loan of £160,000 was merely one symptom of that malady ; it is time that tho citizens sought to bestir themselves for their own advantage.