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has grown in proportion. The above Regulations were introduced
to secure the elimination of pathogenic organisms by a heat-treatment
process similar to that used in the pasteurisation of milk and,
generally speaking, this has been accomplished.
Ice Cream Sampling.—At the latter end of 1949 the Public
Health Committee decided to take advantage of the Public Health
Laboratory Service as provided for under the new National Health
Act and in accordance with these arrangements ice-cream samples
were subjected to a Methylene Blue Reductase Test and graded
accordingly. Prior to this, bacteriological examinations were carried
out at the Pathological Laboratory attached to the Seamen's Hospital
and here the ice-cream samples were subjected to four tests, viz :
2 plate counts (at room and blood temperatures), a test for B.Coli
and a Methylene Blue Reductase Test.
Bacteriological examinations were carried out in respect of
137 samples, 17 of which proved to be unsatisfactory by reason of
(a) the presence of B. Coli in less than I c.c.; or
(b) the high bacterial count; or
(c) the sample being graded 3 or 4 in accordance with the
Ministry's Provisional Grading Scheme based on the results of
the Methylene Blue Reductase Test.
The number of unsatisfactory samples shows an appreciable and
noteworthy decrease and it should be recorded that a large percentage
of these were manufactured outside the Borough and under
conditions over which we have no direct control. In such cases the
Medical Officers of Health of the areas concerned were furnished
with full details of the examinations for any action they considered
necessary.
Twenty-seven samples of ice-cream were taken during the year
for quantitative analysis and full reference is made to this activity
under the heading of Food and Drugs Act, 1938.