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
Wanstead and Woodford 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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Examination of Ordinary Milk.- The following table shows the results of four samples of ordinary milk subjected to bacteriological examination and animal inoculation test for tubercle bacilli:—
| No. | No. of Bacteria per 1 ml. | Presence o' Bacillus Coliform in 0.01 ml. | Presence of Tubercle Bacilli. | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 350,000 | Present | Considered free | Unsatisfactory |
| 2 | 34,000 | Present | Considered free | Unsatisfactory |
| 3 | 53,000 | Present | Considered free | Unsatisfactory |
| 4 | 228,000 | Present | Considered present | Unsatisfactory |
It will be observed from the above table that all samples gave unsatisfactory
results.
Bacillus Coliform was present in each sample, and excessive bacteria
(exceeding 200,000 per millilitre) was present in two samples.
With regard to No. 4, the Bacteriologist reported as the result of
animal inoculation test “The animal inoculated showed generalised tuberculosis
and the milk was therefore considered to have contained viable
tubercle bacilli.”
Sample No. 4 was taken up with the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fishieries by the County Council.
(b) Food and Drugs Act, 1938.—Forty-four samples of food, including
six samples of ordinary milk, were obtained for analysis, and were reported
upon by the Public Analysts as being genuine or satisfactory in every
sample.
Ice Cream.—The number of premises registered for the purpose of
manufacture and sale of ice cream within the district remained at seventyeight,
but little, if any, ice cream was on sale at many of these premises
during the year.
Five samples of ice cream were submitted for bacteriological
examination and although no legal standard for bacterial purity in ice
cream prevailed, three samples were reported upon adversely.
The premises concerned were visited and advice given regarding the
cleanliness of utensils and other conditions relating to manufacture and
storage.
(c) Meat and other Foods: Registration of Food Producing Premises.
—In order to control the registration of premises used for—
(a) the manufacture or sale or storage of ice cream;
(b) the preservation or manufacture of sausages, potted, pressed, pickled
or preserved food intended for sale, the Council made application to the
Minister of Health (1939) to declare the provisions of Section 14 of the
Food and Drugs Act, 1938, to be in force within the Borough. The
application was granted and an Order to that effect came into operation
in January. Thirty-two premises were registered during the year for the
purposes of preservation or manufacture of sausages, potted, pressed,
pickled or preserved food intended for sale.