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
Lambeth 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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Table 3
| Month | Satisfactory Samples | Unsatisfactory Samples |
|---|---|---|
| May | 10 | |
| June | 7 | 19 |
| 1 | 6 | |
| August | 5 | 19 |
| September | 13 | 19 |
| October | 12 | 4 |
| November and December | 4 | nil |
| 46 | 77 |
Table 4
| Type of Test | Milk | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Samples. Number procured | Number passing test | Number failing to pass test | |
| Methylene Blue | 48 | 37 | 11 |
| Phosphatase | 24 | 24 | Nil |
All the unsatisfactory samples were procured during hot weather.
The results of the tests served to emphasize the necessity for
exercising scrupulous cleanliness in the production, processing and
distribution of milk, and reducing to a minimum the time between
its production and consumption.
2. Inspection of Food.
(a) At the slaughterhouses
170 pigs.
(b) At shops, stores and factories
Large quantities of food of all varieties.
As a result of these inspections the following amounts of
food were surrendered as unfit for human consumption and
unsound food certificates were issued.
(i) At the slaughterhouses
Tons cwts. qrs. lb.
Pig carcases and organs — 1 — 7
(ii) At shops, stores and factories
Fresh meat, fish, poultry, vegetables,
prepared and canned foods 40 9 3 12
Bread containing a beetle in the crumb was seized and taken
before a magistrate who made an order for condemnation and
disposed.