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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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- 60 -
The following table shows the number of samples taken during -957 for chemical analysis compared with the previous year:-
| 1957 | 1956 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of samples | 30 | 32 |
| Variation of fat content per cent | 7.8 to 13.0 | 4.6 to 13.6 |
| Variation of non-fat content per cent | 21.0 to 34.4 | 21.2 to 31.6 |
| Average fat content per cent | 10.32 | 9.99 |
| Average non-fat solids content per cent | 25.87 | 24.90 |
There is still no legal bacteriological standard for ice cream.
As in previous years, samples were taken and submitted for examination
under the provisional methylene blue reduction test which is a simple
and practical means for the routine examination of ice cream. The test
is not of sufficient precision to justify its use as a statutory test.
The grading is determined by the length of time taken to decolourize
the methylene blue and it is suggested that if samples consistently
fail to reach grades 1 and 2 it would be reasonable to regard this as an
indication of defects in manufacture or handling which warrant further
investigation.
During the year thirty-five samples of ice-cream were taken
and submitted to the methylene blue test. The results are as follows
Grade No. of samples
1 7
2 5
3 5
4 18
Premises in the borough where ice cream is manufactured, stored
or sold were frequently inspected during the year and generally were
found to be in a satisfactory condition, having regard to the Ice Cream
(Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations, 1947/52.
FOOD POISONING
The Food and Drugs Act, 1955, requires any medical practitioner,
on becoming aware that a person is suffering, or is suspected to be
suffering from food poisoning, to notify the Medical Officer of Health.
The following table shows particulars of notifications received in 1957:-
| Food poisoning notifications (corrected) | ||||
| First quarter | 10 | |||
| Second quarter | 16 | |||
| Third quarter | 18 | |||
| Forth quarter | 8 | |||
| TOTAL | 52 | |||
| Outbreaks due to identified agents | 2 | (5 cases) | ||
| Outbreaks of undiscovered cause | 5 | (13 cases) | ||
| Single cases- | ||||
| Unknown cause | 19 | |||
| Agent identified | 15 | Total cases | 34 | |