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
Lewisham 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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During the year 175 samples of icecream were submitted for bacteriological examination with the following results:—
Table 32
| Grading | Samples submitted | % |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 138 | 78.9 |
| Grade II | 16 | 9.1 |
| Grade III | 15 | 8.5 |
| Grade IV | 6 | 3.5 |
| TOTAL | 175 | 100.0 |
In general grades I and II are satisfactory, while grades III and IV
may indicate some defect in manufacture, handling or storage. Such
cases are followed up and advice is given.
Unsound food
Approximately 6½ tons of food was surrendered as unfit for human
consumption. This was dealt with by the Council's food inspectors
and consisted of meat, fruit pulp, fish, vegetables, etc.
Food poisoning
The following is the annual return of food poisoning notifications
(corrected) furnished to the Ministry of Health:—
(1) Food poisoning notifications (corrected) returned to Registrar-General:—
| First quarter | 2 |
| Second quarter | 6 |
| Third quarter | 33 |
| Fourth quarter | 12 |
| 53 |
(2) Outbreaks due to identified agents:—
| Total outbreaks | Total cases — |
|---|---|
| Outbreaks due to:— | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| (d) Cl. botulinum | — |
| — |
(3) Outbreaks of undiscovered cause:—
Total outbreaks 2
Total cases 21
(4) Single cases:—
Agent identified 13; Unknown 19; Total 32