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54
III. Food Poisoning.
The following is an analysis of the notifications received, classified
according to the suspected causal agent:—
Food. No. of cases.
Milk1
Uncertain 1
In addition to a copy of each certificate being forwarded to the County
Medical Officer, information in respect of cases of general interest as
affecting the Metropolis as a whole is also transmitted to him.
In any case where a particular food appears to be definitely incriminated, bacteriological and chemical examination of the food, and
serological examination of the patient's blood, excreta, etc., would be
carried out.
IV. Food Sampling.
In addition to the usual routine procedure by which food samples
are obtained, sampling of milk is also carried out at the South-Eastern
Hospital, the Babies' Hospital, the Maternity Home, and at the public
elementary schools in the Borough. In the case of hospital samples,
the chemical content and bacterial count are ascertained, while the
school supplies are investigated for the presence of tubercle and for
chemical content. Occasional examination for tubercle and chemical
content is also made of milk coming direct to one of the railway
stations. Occasionally samples of imported food are taken. The
Committee agreed to substitute the "Press Cap" method in place of
the method of sealing bottles used in milk sampling with sealing wax.
This method of sealing has the advantage that it can be done with
much more expedition, particularly in wet or windy weather, thereby
saving the time of both the tradesmen and the Sampling Officer.
Frequency of Sampling.—A total of 513 samples, formal and
informal, and including 3 imported food samples, were taken for
chemical analysis during the year, equivalent to 5.3 samples per 1,000
of the population.