London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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General
There are no abattoirs or slaughterhouses in the borough
and. no killing of animals for human consumption is carried out.
FOOD POISONING
The Pood and Drugs Act, 1955, requires any medical practitioner,
on becoming aware that a person is suffering, or is suspected to be
suffering from food poisoning, to notify the Medical Officer of Health.
The following table shows particulars of notifications received during 1959 :-
| First quarter | 10 |
| Second quarter | 15 |
| Third quarter | 24 |
| Fourth quarter | 16 |
| TOTAL | 65 |
Cases otherwise ascertained Nil Fatal cases Nil
| No. of outbreaks | No. of cases | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Outbreaks | Other outbreaks | Notified | Otherwise ascertained | Total cases | |
| Agent identified | - | 1 | 3 | _ | 3 |
| Agent unidentified | 5 | 12 | 12 | ||
| Single cases | No. of cases | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notified | Otherwise ascertained | Total cases | |
| Agent identified | 27 | - | 27 |
| Agent unidentified | l 23 | 23 | |
Salmonella infections, not food-borne
No incidents under this heading occurred in Kensington in 1959•
The cases of food poisoning summarized in the above table are
reported in greater detail below
Outbreaks due to identified agents (l outbreak)
Three Kensington patients were associated with an outbreak which
occurred in a large general hospital in a neighbouring borough. The patient
(2 males under 1 year and a female aged 34) were unconnected as far as
family or residence were concerned. The two babies had been born in the
hospital and the infection remained undiscovered until after discharge; both
these children were admitted to hospital for treatment. The adult patient)
who was treated at home, was a member of the hospital's ancillary staff.
Outbreaks of undiscovered cause (5 outbreaks)
The figures relating to these five family outbreaks have remained