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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough.
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Information concerning the analyses of these samples is given in the following table:—
| Article | How Obtained | Examination | Action Taken | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bact. or Chem. | Result | |||
| Slices of White Bread | Submitted by a member of the public—complaint of foreign bodies. | Chem. | Small black bodies identified as roasted poppy and maw seeds used by bakers for flavouring. | Complainant notified accordingly. |
| Sausage Meat (11 Samples) | Taken from Cold Store in Borough. | Bact. | 2 Samples contained Salmonella typhi-murium and Staph, aureus. | Undertaking given that, before disposal, consignment would receive heat treatment to render it fit for human consumption. |
| Gravy Powder (2 Samples) | Submitted by a member of the public—complaint of discolouration when used for dishes 'en casserole.' | Chem. | When used as directed, powder was satisfactory. Prolonged boiling with other ingredients broke down the colouring components. | Complainant informed. Suggestions to the manufacturer that the composition be changed. |
| Apricots (Canned) | From an Admirralty Canteen. Part of a stock of doubtful tins. | Chem. | Edible—free from excesisve corrosion. | Canteen notified of result. |
| Dried Skimmed Milk (4 Samples) | Complaint from local Hospital regarding taste. | Chem. | Sound and edible though not of highest quality. | Hospital notified of result. |
| Portion of Iced Birthday Cake. | Suspected food from a paratyphoid case. | Bact. | No Salmonella or-ganisms found. | No further action. |
| Sliced Applies (Canned) | Part of consignment delivered to local Hospital —suspected of excessive internal corrosion. | Chem. | Satisfactory—fit for human consumption. | Hospital notified of results of examination. |
| Apple Purée (Canned) | From stock of local tradesman —age of stock unknown. | Chem. | Satisfactory. | Tradesman notified accordingly. |