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belong, there is not much difference in the way in which the
exposed food for sale is treated. Meat, fish, fruit and vegetables
are uncovered and frequently placed sometimes under the stalls, in
close proximity to the ground, or on the ground by the side of the
stalls. In some of the shops themselves biscuits, &c. are piled
up in open tins from the ground upwards. These are all exposed
to contamination from dust and from the attentions of roaming
dogs.
In the case of the resident shopkeepers, there is no reason
why articles of food should be placed in any position which may
expose them to pollution; but with regard to the costers who come
from a distance there is this difference, that they usually carry to
their market place more stock than they can satisfactorily exhibit
at one time on their stalls, and they have no place of storage for the
remainder. This ean only be placed either under the stall, or at
its side. But even this fact should not stand in the way of the
adoption of some effectual measure for preventing food from
contamination.
After careful consideration, I am of opinion that the proposal
of the St. Pancras Borough Council is a very reasonable one. It will
not press heavily upon the shopkeepers, who have stalls in the
street, as they have accommodation in their shops to keep their
surplus stock out of the reach of contamination. With regard
to the costers' stall, the proposed regulation will press more heavily
upon them; but even with these, I am of opinion that articles of
food exposed by them for sale should be raised at least 3 ft. above
the surface of the ground, and if there is more stock than can be
displayed or placed on the stall, it should be covered up and enclosed
in receptacles in such a way as to prevent any and all danger of
contamination.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. KING WARRY, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.