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coli communis, due to the sewage in the Thames water at this spot. From these facts I
decided that the rice was not fit for human food, and replied to that effect. To allow such
an article to be used for human food would, in my opinion, be stultifying all recent
legislation, which aims at the protection of food from contamination during every stage of
its production. If it is injurious to allow the effluvium of a w.c. or drain to penetrate into
a bakehouse or other place where food is prepared, so much the more should it be prevented
from soaking into the contents of either of these places, even when diluted with Thames
water.
This case is similar to that of the coffee berries last year, in which the Magistrate
who examined the largest part of the bulk refused to condemn it, since the defendants
proved that the berries would be subjected to a very high temperature during roasting,
when any deleterious products due to soaking in Thames water might be supposed to
be destroyed. There is, however, one important difference, in that rice is frequently eaten
in an insufficiently cooked condition.
The owners at once fell in with this decision, so that it was not necessary to formally
seize it, and they were subsequently able to dispose of it after receiving guarantees, which
they forwarded to me, that it should not be used for human food. The names and
addresses of the purchasers were supplied, and the Medical Officers of the various districts
concerned, and in the case of Belgium, the Government were advised of the decision
arrived at, the destination of the consignment, as well as the name of the ship by which it
was forwarded.
Butter, ex ss. " Suevic."
9th April.
On 25th March a message was received from the Port Sanitary Authority that they
had given permission for 1,000 cases of butter, salved from the ss. " Suevic," which went
aground off Land's End, to proceed to Cotton's Wharf. The worst damaged packages
were examined by myself and the District Inspector, but there was no reason for interfering
with its sale since the principal damage occurred in the handling of the packages. Some
of them had been soaked in sea water, but this would not, in my opinion, render the
concents unfit for food, because even if the sea water was not quite pure, which is
improbable, it could not penetrate any distance into the bulk.
Cartage of Bullocks' Heads.
9th April.
Complaints have been received by me relating to the custom of meat contractors of
carting away the heads of bullocks which have been slaughtered at the Deptford Cattle
Market and other places through the streets in uncovered vans. Not only is the meat
liable to contamination by this method of conveyance, but the appearance of these heads,
which are generally covered with blood, is very disgusting to many people who frequent
the streets. I have often seen the vans not only being driven through the streets but
occasion illy standing still while the drivers are refreshing themselves. The London
County Council are already very strict about the conveyance of dead horses through the
streets, and I think some similar method should be adopted for conveying not only
bullocks' heads but dead meat generally in properly covered vans. I recommend that a
copy of my report be sent to the London County Council, with the request that they take
the natter into their consideration.
A letter was sent to the County Council in accordance with this suggestion.
Unsound Food.
The following articles were brought to the notice of the Department, found to be unfit
for human food, and destroyed as trade refuse: —
Tons.
Cwt.
Qrs.
Lbs.
Apples
1
5
2
2
Apricots (tins)
1
1
-
2
Broccoli
-
4
-
-
Bacon
-
2
1
-
Beef
-
1
1
-
Boned Beef
-
15
-
-
Bananas
-
2
3
-
Black Sloes
3
10
-
-
Bloaters
-
-
-
14
Conger Eel
-
-
2
-
Cod's Roe
-
-
2
-
Coffee Beans
-
2
1
-
Cheese
-
1
2
1¾
Cauliflower in brine
-
2
-
-
Condensed Milk
-
6
2
-
Chickens and Ducks
-
1
-
-
Eggs
-
4
2
-
Gooseberries
-
-
-
14
Gherkins
-
4
2
14
Herring and Tomatoes
-
-
-
21
Haddock Roe
-
1
2
-
Herrings
-
1
-
-