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directions. Urgent cases are of course dealt with by another
inspector, but the routine duties of both districts are thrown sadly
out of gear.
The difficulty can of course be met by the appointment of a
special food inspector , but unless several were appointed the
patrolling of the Borough for this purpose could not be so complete
as it is with all the inspectors on the look out, while if the duty is
still left to the district inspector in addition to the special officer the
difficulty referred to above is still likely to arise, although, perhaps,
in a less aggravated form.
As a sort of aftermath of the war an active trade has been
carried out by the vendors, chiefly of a more or less itinerant
description, of tinned food, with the accompaniment of increased
vigilance in its examination on the part of your Inspectors. A great
many tins were seized and condemned ; but it is quite possible that
a large number escaped seizure, for only those could be taken in
which there was prima facie evidence of unsoundness. But there is
evidence to show that a tin may contain meat of a harmful
character without showing any sign of going wrong, and such cases
would naturally escape seizure. The Inspectors chiefly concerned
in such seizures were Collins, Malins and Nash, and they deserve
special mention for the energy and zeal they displayed in bringing
the offenders to book.
The subject of Street Trading also led to some discussion. It
was alleged that serious danger arose from this source, and a report
is appended which was made to the Works Committee. Whenever
it was possible, e.g., in the case of meat, we insisted as far as
possible on as many safeguards as we should in the case of shops,
and also took into account the facilities for storage the applicants
possessed.
The report of the Food and Drugs Inspector, who has shown
great zeal during the year, is appended.
Public Health Department,
35, Brunswick Square, Camberwell, S.E. 5,
35, Brunswick Square, Camberwell, S.E.5,
March 30th, 1922.
To the Medical Officer of Health, Camberwell.
Sir,—l herewith submit a report of the work carried out under the Sale of
Food and Drags and other Acts for the year ending December 31st, 1921.
The number of official samples taken was 1,089.
The number of official samples taken was 1,089.
Of these, 6 were taken under the Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations,
1912, and 37 under the Sale of Food Order, 1921.
The number of informal or test samples purchased was 215, including 25
informal samples of margarine, which were obtained in order to ascertain whether
the requirements were being complied with.
A table is attached hereto showing the variety of official samples purchased and
the results of analysis.
Eleven samples of butter were taken with a view to ascertaining whether the
16 per cent,limit of moisture permitted was exceeded. In no case was there found
to be any excess.
The 37 samples taken under the Sale of Food Order are made up of the
following:—Margarine, 21 : dripping, 12 ; jam, 3; and marmalade, 1. All the
margarine complied with the requirements of the Order. Two samples of dripping