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133
It should be noted that for the first time the breakfast sausage
was found to be infected, and that a piece taken from the interior
of a positive gammon was definitely negative. This would appear
to have indicated a surface contamination of the gammon.
It was now apparent that the shop was heavily infected, and
Mr. A. appeared to be a carrier, although no history of any illness
in the family had been obtained in spite of close questioning.
Immediate action was imperative, and the Deputy Town Clerk
(in the absence of the Town Clerk) was consulted as to the legal
position.
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, Section 204.—By this section
a person who knows himself to be suffering from a dangerous
infectious disease shall not engage in any occupation connected
with food, or carry on any trade or business in such a manner
as to be likely to spread the disease, and if he should do so, he
shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £10.
Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations, 1927.—By these
regulations power is given to prohibit a carrier of enteric lever or
dysentery infection from engaging in the preparation or handling
of food or drink for human consumption.
London County Council By-Laws for the Protection of Food.—
By these By-Laws the occupier of any premises shall take such
steps as may be reasonably necessary to prevent risk of contamination
of food on the premises. Penalties are provided for offenders.
It appeared that Section 204 would not apply to an apparent
carrier of a food poisoning organism, and that there was great
doubt whether the Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations,
1927, applied in view of the definition of Dysentery in Article 1.
It was considered that the By-Laws of the London County
Council might be applied in this particular case.
No power existed to close the shop.
Mr. A. was accordingly instructed to cease forthwith handling
any food in the shop until further instructions, and a warning
letter was sent by the Deputy Town Clerk to his home address
the same day, pointing out that if he should engage in any way in
the handling or sale of food to the public he might be liable to