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
Camberwell 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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57
Ministry. Owing to the repeated failure of this producer to comply
with the prescribed conditions the Ministry revoked the license.
Grade "A" (Tuberculin Tested) Milk must not contain more
than 200,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre and Coliform Bacillus
must not be found in 1 /100th cubic centimetre.
The reports of the 12 samples which failed to comply are appended:—
| Sample marked. | Date obtained. | Bacteria per c.c. | Presence of Coliform Bacillus. |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | February 8th | 21,000 | Present in 1 /100 cc. |
| No. 2 | March 15th | 280,000 | Ditto. |
| No. 3 | May 10th | 26,000 | Ditto |
| No. 7 | June 21st | 170,000 | Ditto |
| No. 8 | June 28th | 50,000 | Ditto |
| No. 9 | July 12th | 10,000 | Ditto |
| No. 10 | July 19th | 100,000 | Ditto |
| No. 11 | August 16th | 40,000 | Ditto |
| No. 12 | August 20th | 70,000 | Ditto |
| No. 13 | September 13th | 120,000 | Ditto |
| No. 14 | September 20th | 990,000 | Ditto |
| No. 15 | October 11th | 380,000 | Ditto |
In addition to the above, 4 samples, 2 from each of the two
licensed bottling establishments in the Borough were bacteriologically
examined and were found to be satisfactory.
Pasteurised Milk.
During the year 36 samples of pasteurised milk in sealed churns
supplied to institutions, and 14 in sealed bottles supplied to school
children, were taken for the purpose of ascertaining whether they
complied with the bacteriological standard laid down in the Milk
(Special Designations) Order, viz., that the maximum number of
bacteria permitted per cubic centimetre should not exceed 100,000.
There is no standard for Bacillus Coli. Of these, 49 samples conformed to the required standard. One sample, taken from a sealed
churn, exceeded by 165,000 the maximum number of bacteria
allowed under the order.
The appropriate committee directed that a letter of caution be
sent to the vendors.
Milk.
The campaign to secure a clean and safe milk supply continued
throughout the year.
Whilst milk is a most valuable article of food, yet unfortunately
it is a vehicle for the spread of tuberculosis and numerous infections
such as undulant fever and septic sore throat. A committee appointed
by the People's League of Health to review the question of