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
Kensington 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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23
Surrender.
Any person, having for the purpose of sale, food which
is diseased, unsound or unfit for human consumption can, under
Section 180(8) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, surrender
it to the Council for destruction as trade refuse.
During the year, surrender was made of 3,260 tins of various foods, and 4 tons, 19 cwts. of other food, the principal items of which were:-
| Tons. | Cwts. | Crs. | Lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish | 2 | 14 | — | 24 |
| Flour | 1 | 4 | — | 7 |
| Sugar | — | 3 | 3 | 26 |
| Dried Vegetables | — | 6 | 2 | 23 |
| Fruit | — | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| Bacon, butter and cheese | — | — | 7 | 4 |
Sale of Food and Drinks in public places.
The Pood and Drugs Act, 1938, requires every dealer in
ice cream to have his name and address conspicuously displayed on
any vehicle or container in which he sells or exposes for sale
ice cream in the street or public place. This requirement can
be extended by a local authority to apply to vendors of any kind
of food or drink, excepting milk, in streets of public places.
In view of the difficulties which were being experienced
in ascertaining the names and addresses of itinerant street
traders dealing in food, in certain cases under unsatisfactory
conditions, the Council resolved that as from 9th December, 1946,
street vendors of all kinds of food and drink, except milk,
should display conspicuously their names and addressee on their
vehicles or stalls.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act. 1933.
At the end of the year, the number of sellers of Part 2
poisons (other than registered pharmacists) on the list maintained
by the Council was 140. Of this number 16 were initial registrations
during the year.
Water Supply.
In Kensington, the water supply is almost entirely
provided by the Metropolitan Water Board. There are, however,
four premises which obtain water from artesian wells. Samples
of water from these wells were taken regularly both by the
Council and the owners for bacteriological and chemical examination.
The samples showed the water was suitable for drinking
and domestic purposes.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Public Health (London) Act. 1936.
Nuisances. During the year, 12 summonses were taken out for
various nuisances under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
In 8 cases abatement or prohibition orders were secured and fines
amounting to £22 0s. 0d. were imposed. In the remaining 4 cases,
the summonses were withdrawn, the nuisances having been abated.