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
Islington 1909
Fifty-fourth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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259
[1909
Contionued from previous page
| 3rd Quarter. | cwts. | qrs. | lbs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diseased meat and organs from slaughterhouses | 3 | T | I |
| Diseased meat from other premises - | — | 3 | 20 |
| Meat unsound by decomposition from shops (seized) | - | - | 21 |
| Unsound fish from shops and stalls | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| Unsound fruit (seized) | — | 2 | 14 |
| Unsound fruit (surrendered) | — | I | 25 |
| Total | 7 | 0 | 10 |
4th Quarter.
| cwts. | qrs. | lbs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diseased and unsound meat and organs from slaughterhouses | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Unsound meat and rabbits from shops, etc. | - | - | 21 |
| Unsound fruit from shops and stalls | 8 | 3 | 4 |
| Unsound fish from shops | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Unsound hens eggs | - | - | 3 |
| Total | 12 | 3 | 14 |
Warranty with Cattle—This subject was dealt with in the report for
1908, as, although a trade matter, it was of interest to public health authorities,
inasmuch as when a man stands to lose the price of an animal which costs
between £18 and £30, according to its weight, and when he is to receive no
compensation for its destruction he may be greatly tempted to sell the meat
surreptitiously. Indeed, he sometimes does so.
After that report was issued, the Medical Officer of Health, on the 24th
May, 1909, reported as follows to the Public Health Committee:—
To the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.
Indemnity for Butchers for Cattle seized as being
diseased and unfit for human food.
Gentlemen,—You will recollect that over two years ago I condemned the
caucase of a bullock owned by Mr. Newbury at his slaughterhonse in Roman
Road as being unfit for human food because it was tuberculous.
In life this animal had showed no signs of disease, and was apparently a
healthy sound beast. When it was slaughtered, however, it was found to have
been suffering from generalized tuberculosis, so that I was compelled to have its
carcase destroyed.
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