London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Finsbury 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]

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141
The outbreak, however, cannot be ascribed with certainty
to infection from a human source, although the possibility cannot
be excluded. A number of those attacked were found to be
engaged in the handling of food, and the necessary steps were
taken to prevent contamination of the food handled. The shop
remained closed from Wednesday, 1st September, until Saturday,
11th September, when it was re-opened by Mr. A., his son and
the errand boy assisting as formerly.
In conclusion, I would like to thank my staff, especially the
Sampling Officer, the Ministry of Health, and the Deputy Town
Clerk for their assistance in dealing with the outbreak. I have
also to thank my colleagues in neighbouring Boroughs for the
information which they placed at my disposal.
2. One girl of 19 years of age was notified as suffering from
food poisoning during the outbreak mentioned above, but on
investigation it was found that the case was not connected
therewith. She had partaken of a sausage on a stick in a
public-house in the Borough in company with two other persons
who were unaffected. Her stools revealed the presence of
B. aertrycke.
No further cases from this source were traced.
3. One man of 27 years was notified from hospital as suffering
from food poisoning, a few colonies of Newport's bacillus being
isolated from the stools.
Enquiries failed to reveal the source of infection. The patient
had eaten the same food as other members of his family, who were
unaffected. No meals had been taken in any cafe or restaurant.
4. Two persons were reported as suffering from abdominal
pains and a rash on the chest and neck after partaking of some
turkey and tongue paste bought in one of the market streets.
Bacteriological examination of the paste was negative and the
condition was thought to be urticarial in nature and not true
food poisoning.
5. Three persons living outside the Borough were reported
to be suffering from food poisoning following the consumption of
a mince tart purchased in Finsbury.
Examination of the tart, however, gave a completely negative
result.