View report page

3
No doubt one is tilting against long established custom, nevertheless
it is time that regulations were made to prevent meat being
exposed in shops with open fronts. Dust and road refuse are blown
upon the meat. A prominent surgeon told me recently that when
motoring in the West End he felt some dust driving into his eye. Out
of curiosity he called in at his hospital and asked the bacteriologist to
make cultures from the dust to see what germs were present. Tubercle
and diphtheria bacilli were found ! Think then what must happen to the
meat which, throughout the whole of London is placed in front of the
shops, exposed to dust and germs as well as, on rare occasions, to the
paws of ladies with discriminating tastes! More stringent regulations
are required as regards the traffic of meat through the streets.
No foodstuff intended for sale on stalls or barrow should be stored
in stables or in living or sleeping rooms; this has been known in London,
The fact of the matter is, except for one thing, the public health
has reached a very high standard in this country. The exception is the
food question. More intense food inspection, more consideration for
the consumer and less for the casual itinerant vendor, etc., etc.—these
are required.
Your Medical Officer once again, through your Council and with
its permission, offers to give any group, body or association in Deptford
an address on any subject dealing with health.
I have dealt with Cremation in the present Report as the educational
subject of the year. It is by means of education, and religion
of course, that we can raise " all sorts and conditions of men." Your
Health Department is here waiting to be consulted by the public and
to do anything it can. This spirit exists through the whole Department,
to the loyalty and kindness of each member of which, as well as to the
gratitude I feel for your unfailing kindness and support to myself I
have the honour to bear witness.
Your obedient Servant,
Charles S. Thomson,
Medical Officer of Health.