View report page

114
makers are aliens, and their habits, unfortunately, leave something
to be desired where the preparation of food is concerned.
Ice-Cream Premises.—These have been inspected, and
in a number of cases, where it has been necessary, work has been
carried out, particularly so in Kemp Place and Caroline Place,
to which reference is made on p. 141.
Ice-Cream Poisoning.—During the year there have
been several cases of ice-cream poisoning, which have been
investigated in due course.
An outbreak of such poisoning occurred in the City of London
in July, which was traced by Dr. Collingridge, the Medical
Officer of Health of the City, in part, to some ice-cream made
in Finsbury. Some eighteen persons, mostly telegraph boys,
were affected. The symptoms were colic, headache, vomiting,
diarrhoea and nervous depression. Dr. Collingridge took,
altogether, 23 samples from suspected shops, and these were
examined by Dr. Klein, who found that 12 of these (or 52 per
cent.) were absolutely poisonous.* Two of these samples were
° The Corporation of the City of London have, as a result of this outbreak,
drawn up Regulations to be observed by persons being manufacturers of, or
merchants, or dealers in ice-creams, or other similar commodity within the City
of London, as follows :—I. No such commodity must be manufactured, sold, or
stored in insanitary premises, nor in any cellar, shed or room in which there
is any inlet or opening to a drain, or which is used as a living room or sleeping
room. 2. Such premises must at all times be kept in a thoroughly clean and
sanitary condition. 3. All materials must be of a sound and wholesome
description. 4. All utensils used in the preparation of ice cream, &c., should be
thoroughly cleansed and scalded with boiling water before use. 5. Such utensils
should not be used for any other purpose than for making ice creams, &c. 6. When
in the process of manufacture materials are boiled, freezing must take place
immediately afterwards. 7. Such materials, after manufacture, should be kept
in clean vessels, covered, and placed in cool, well-ventilated rooms. 8. No ice
cream or other similar commodity should be kept for a longer period than
48 hours after manufacture, if remaining then unsold it must be destroyed.
9. If any case of infectious disease occur amongst the persons employed in the
business, or living, or working in, on, or about the premises, in or on any part
of which any such commodity is manufactured, sold or stored, notice shall be
forthwith given to the Medical Officer of Health, Public Health Department,
Guildhall, E.G.