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

View report page

Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Greenwich 1952

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

This page requires JavaScript

Table: Information concerning the analyses of these samples is given in the following table:—

Information concerning the analyses of these samples is given in the following table:—

ArticleHow ObtainedExaminationAction Taken
Bact. or Chem.Result
Bottle of AleComplaintChem.Clothes peg fixed in bottle neck. No injurious constituents found.Warning letter to Brewer who expressed regret.
6 tins of Italian Red Cherries in Syrup.Special Investigation at Warehouse.Chem.4 samples had 'hydrogen swell ' and contained dissolved tin and iron.See report under Food Rejected — ⅓rd. of stock sent for pig food.
2 tins Crab Paste.Complaint.Bact.No significant organisms isolated.Complainant notified of results.
2 tins Italian Tomato Puree.Special Investigation at Warehouse.Chem.Excessive copper content.Controlled distribu-bution to ensure proper dilution for human consumption
Bottle of Non-brewed CondimentComplaint.Chem.Unfit for human consumption due to excessive iron content.Manufacturer asked to discontinue preparation.
3 samples of Synthetic Cream.Special Investigation.Bact.Examination not possible owing to fault at the Laboratory.Further samples obtained.
3 samples of Synthetic CreamSpecial Investigation. Obtained from several distributors.Bact.Very high plate count from 2 of the samples.Explanation received from manufacturer. Joint representation by this and adjacent Boro' to Min. of Food.
Synthetic Cream.'Follow up' to previous unsatisfactory samples.Bact.Viable organisms 9,400,000 per mil.Samples taken to establish channel via which the
Synthetic Cream—do.—Bact.Only small plate count.unsatisfactory cream was entering the Borough.
2 tins Italian Tomato Puree.From Warehouse in Charlton.Chem.One sample contained excessive copper.Dilution of 10 to 1 recommended for catering purposes.
Casket of Milk ChocolatesComplaint.Chem.Free from harmful ingredients.Complainant informed of result.
Loaf of Bread.Complaint.Chem.Suspected substance proved to be mixture of burnt flour and bread.Warning letter to Baker.