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
Ealing 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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42
Thirty-eight samples of pasteurised milk were taken and
submitted to the methylene blue and phosphatase tests at the
Public Health Laboratory, Ealing. All passed the methylene blue
test, but 2 failed the phosphatase test. These were processed
outside the Borough and the Authorities concerned were informed.
Subsequent samples were satisfactory.
In addition, 250 samples of pasteurised milk from processing
plants in the Borough were taken by officers of the County Council,
who are the Licensing Authority under the Milk (Special Designation)
Regulations. Of these, 3 failed the methylene blue test and 2
failed the phosphatase test.
Ice Cream. .
Eighty-one samples of ice cream were taken during the year
and were submitted for bacteriological examination to the Public
Health Laboratory, Ealing.
The results in accordance with the provisional grading scheme recommended by the Ministry of Health, were as follows :
| Provisional Grade | No. of Samples | Presumptive Coliforms Present | Faecal Coliforms Present |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | 3 | Nil |
| 2 | 23 | 17 | Nil |
| 3 | 6 | 5 | Nil |
| 4 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
| Totals | 81 | 36 | 1 |
Unsatisfactory samples were followed up, either by investigation
at the producer's plant in the Borough, or by notification
to the Authorities concerned where the manufacturers' premises
were outside the Borough.
Synthetic Cream.
Twenty-one samples of synthetic cream were obtained from
local manufacturers ; 19 received satisfactory bacteriological reports.
The 2 samples which were not up to a satisfactory bacteriological
standard were found to be due to contamination of one of the raw
materials with a non-pathogenic spore-forming organism.