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
Greenwich 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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81
NOTIFICATION OF FOOD POISONING.
Under the provisions of the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1932, now re-enacted in the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936, every registered medical practitioner attending on any
person shall, if he suspects or becomes aware that any person is
suffering from food poisoning forthwith notify such case to the
Medical Officer of Health.
There were 18 cases notified during the year as compared
with thirty-six for the previous year.
Each case was investigated with a view to ascertaining the
source of infection, but there was no instance where the food
suspected could be regarded as a definite cause of specific food
poisoning and recovery followed rapidly.
Details of the cases are given in the following table:—
| Case No. | Initials ofPatient | Age andSex | District | DateNotified | Suspected Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D. G. | 33 F | West Greenwich | 19. 1.38 | Shrimps, Fried Fish |
| 2 | J. B. | 18 M | West Greenwich | 14. 2.38 | Egg |
| 3 | O. L. | 15 F | West Greenwich | 18. 7.38 | Sausage Roll |
| 4 | M. F. | 19 F | West Greenwich | 24. 7.38 | Meat Pie |
| 5 | G. G. | 32 F | West Greenwich | 2. 8.38 | Jellied Eels |
| 6 | A. F. | 28 M | West Greenwich | 10. 8.38 | Fried Skate |
| 7 | A. C. | 50 F | West Greenwich | 20. 8.38 | Fried Fish |
| 8 | J. W. | 28 M | West Greenwich | 30. 8.38 | Cockles |
| 9 | E. D. | 17 F | West Greenwich | 30. 8.38 | Cream Cake |
| 10 | A. G. | 62 M | West Greenwich | 3. 9.38 | Mackerel |
| 11 | E. K. | 36 F | West Greenwich | 20. 9.38 | Pork |
| 12 | J. K. | 9 F | West Greenwich | 20. 9.38 | Pork |
| 13 | J. L. | 29 M | Charlton | 24. 9.38 | Chicken and Ham Roll |
| 14 | T. S. | 20 M | West Greenwich | 9.10.38 | Steak and Kidney Pie |
| 15 | V. C. | 30 F | East Greenwich | 21.11.38 | Sausages |
| 16 | F. A. | 23 F | West Greenwich | 5.12.38 | Fish |
| 17 | W. G. | 52 M | West Greenwich | 8.12.38 | Pork |
| 18 | P. S. | 50 M | West Greenwich | 28.12.38 | Pork |