TUBERCULOSIS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1907, Page 7

TUBERCULOSIS.

ROYAL COMMISSION'S REPORT. INSPECTION OF MILK. STRINGENT MEASURES REQUIRED tpnuss association.] , LONDON, 2nd February. Tho second interim report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, of which the late Sir Michael ' Foster was chairman, has betm issued. The leport declares that, ps the result of elaborate experiments, it has been nhown that bovine animals and man can bo reciprocally infected with tuberculosis. Cows' milk, containing bovine tubercle bacilli, is clenrly, says tho report, a cauEe of tuberculosis in man. A very largo proportion of tuberculosis is contracted by in'gesLion, and is due to tubercle bacilli of bovine origin. Mora stringent measures are required, the report concludes, for the inspection and sale of milk. CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER'S VIEWS. " That simply bears out what has been recognised by leading pathologists and sanitarians throughout the world," said Dr. Mason to-day, discussing the cable message. " Dr. Koch's statement at tho Congress of 1901 came as a sort of thunderbolt on tho scientific world, but even at that meeting some of the best-known authorities combated his contention that bovine tuberculosis was hot communicable to man. From that time careful observations Live been made, which have confirmed the belief that th© disease can be transmitted from cattle to human beings. The report of the Royal Commission gives the official imprimatur to that belief. It was pointed out that it would be absolutely impolitic to relax in any , way the regulations for the inspection of meat and milk. This latest report simply emphasises the wisdom of the regulations in force in most English-speaking countries. "My recommendations," states Dr. Mason, "aro that jn all towns with over 4000 inhabitants there .should be a municipal or general clearing house, through which all milk should go. At that depot the milk could bo stored in properlycooled chambers, pasteurised perhaps, and bottled in an up-to-date manner. It could also be humanised — that is, cows' milk could be so treated as to more nearly approach that of a human mother. At such a- factory or depot there would be efficient apparatus for cleansing pur. poses. Dr. Mason reiterated bis oft-re-peated arguments as to the need of inspection of tho premises of the supplier and of dairy hords.

Tho eighth annual flower show in connection with St. Thomas's, Newtown, will bo held in St. Thomas's Hall, Rid-diforcl-streot. on Wednesday and Thursday next, and gives promise of being tho best show yet held at that end of the city. Entries of gladioli, pot plants, cut flowers, fruits, otc, have been received from practically all tho best growers, both professional and private. The "docoration" classes nro nlso well reprosonted nnd should make a groat display. The number of new entries this year shows that tho efforts of the promoters of this annual show to encourago tho growth of flowers by residents is bearing good results. Messrs. Mocdonald, Wilson nnd Co. will hold a eftlo of Inndad properties at their Exchange Lir.ul Mart to-morrow 1 afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock, and submit, on behalf of Mr. W. I). Pittar, who ha* diepoeod of his dental praclieo and in leaving tho colony, two building flections at Kclßinno, having frontages of 59ft sin and 43ft Sin respectively by long depths ; a new ei(?htroomed residence in Ccntral-torraco, Kolburno, with section 53ft 6in frontage ; and, on account of Mr. W. J. Williams, his country residence-, silunto on tho Mainioad, Trontham, comprising the rendeuoeof eight rooms, nlso section containing b!x acros, kid out fn garden, orchard, two tonnis lawns, paddockf, otc. It is mtucito closo to the school, Post Office, nnd telephone. Mossi*. Maedonald, Wil«on and Co. will Bell to-morrow, at 1.30 o'clock, at tho promines of Mr. Wm. Fountain, Main-road, Johnsonville, tho whole of his contracting plant'; also farm implements, dairy cowb. bulk, horiei, trap*) etc, full dotaili of vrhioh fttipeari in the motion, column.