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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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Special attention was paid at the time of inspection to the
kitchens and the methods of food preparation. It is pleasing to
record that the hygienic standard of these premises is high and
continues to improve.
Bacteriological Examination of Ice Cream.
There is no prescribed standard, either bacteriologically or
chemically, for ice cream.
Six samples of this article were submitted for bacteriological examination, with the results as appended:—
| Samples Marked. | Date Obtained. | Where Purchased. | Bacteria per c.c. | Presence of Bacillus Coli. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | July 13th | From a barrow in public thoroughfare. | 200,000 | Present in 1/100th c.c. |
| No. 2 | July 13th | From a barrow in public thoroughfare. | 120,000 | Absent in 1/10th c.c. |
| No. 3 | July 13th | Shop | 25,000 | Absent in 1/10th c.c. |
| No. 4 | July 13th | Shop | 210,000 | Present in 1/10th c.c. |
| No. 5 | July 13th | Shop | 25,000 | Present in 1/10th c.c. |
| No. 6 | July 13th | Shop | 45,000 | Present in 1/10th c.c. |
Street Markets.
There are 150 market stalls in the Borough licensed to sell
articles of food. These stalls were periodically inspected during the
year, particularly on Saturday evenings.
Certification of Meat Food Products.
The Medical Officer of Health as designated officer for food
inspection issued 13 certificates in respect of foods prepared in this
Borough for export to America and Australia.
Unsound Food.
It was not necessary during 1938 for proceedings to be taken
in respect of any article of food deemed to be unfit for human
consumption.
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