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schools in the north-western area of the Borough. Many of the
pupils and staff were taken ill with vomiting after consumption
of the mid-day meal which had been prepared in one of the school
kitchens. Investigations showed that the meal included custard
and prepared cream made from dried milk powder. Some of
the custard and dried milk was submitted for bacteriological
examination which revelaed a high count of staphylococcus
aureus. Prompt action was taken by the London County Council
who took steps to recall from the Schools Meals Service all packs
of dried milk from the same source. Fortunately, the illness was
not severe and nearly all the patients recovered within 24 hours.
An outbreak of food poisoning was also reported at St.
Francis' Hospital, where 27 patients were taken ill with diarrhoea,
and in some cases slight sickness, following the consumption of an
evening meal consisting of meat pie and meat hash. Unfortunately,
none of the food remained available for examination.
Specimens of stools from the patients were submitted to the
laboratory, however, but the results proved to be negative.
Inquiries revealed that all the kitchen staff concerned were in
good health. It was not possible, therefore, to discover the agent
responsible for this outbreak.