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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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19
There are 14 manufacturers with premises in the borough
and, with one exception, the premises have been maintained in
accordance with the Council's requirements. The one exception
was dealt with under the Pood and Drugs Act, 1938, which
resulted in the occupier carrying out various works to restore
the premises to a satisfactory condition.
The Minister of Health has stated that he is not satisfied
that there is any reliable test to justify the imposition of a
bacteriological standard. He has, however, drawn the attention
of local authorities to a form of methylene blue test for ice
cream.
This test divides ice cream into four grades, defined in
relation to the time taken to decolourise the methylene blue,
and it was suggested that if ice cream consistently failed to
reach grades 1 and 2, it would be reasonable to regard this as
indicating defects of manufacture or handling which called for
further investigation. Owing to the numerous factors governing
the hygienic quality of ice cream, and to the experimental error
of the laboratory test itself, it is unwise to pay too much
attention to the bacteriological results on any given sample:
judgment should be based on a series of samples.
During 191+8, 52 samples were taken and submitted to the methylene blue test, and the results were as follows:-
| Grade | No. of samples |
| 1 | 16 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 16 |
These samples were also submitted to a plate count test
which indicates the general bacteriological content, and to
a coliform test. The results on the whole cannot be regarded
as altogether satisfactory, and endeavours are still being
made to secure improvements. The traders are co-operative
and appear to be willing to give effect to the suggestions made
by the Council's officers; but have put forward the plea of
inability to obtain supplies of equipment.
There was no outbreak of disease during the year attributable
to ice cream sold in the borough.
POOD POISONING
Under Section 17 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, any
medical practitioner, on becoming aware that a person is
suffering, or is suspected to be suffering, from food poisoning
must notify the Medical Officer of Health.
The following table shows particulars of notifications
received in 1948.