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Food poisoning
Twenty three cases of food poisoning occurred during the year
as compared with 19 in the previous year.
In six cases Salmonella Typhi-Murlum were identified as the
responsible organisms, in one case staphylococcal toxin was identified,
and in another Cl.Welchii was identified, but in the remaining
cases no specific organisms were isolated.
Foods alleged to have been responsible for the patients' condition
included meat pie, whelks, home bottled tomatoes, rabbit,
Russian tinned salmon, fish paste, dripping, boiling fowl and mussels.
In December an outbreak of food poisoning was reported from
one of the larger schools in the Borough where all the cooking was
carried out by a firm of caterers, and the food under suspicion
was either boiled lamb or curry.
Faecal specimens were obtained from the catering staff and together
with samples of the boiled lamb and curry were forwarded to
the Medical Research council's Laboratory at county Hall. The Manageress
and the cook were found to be carriers of heat resistant
Cl.Welchii and this organism was also recovered from the boiled
lamb. All other specimens were negative.
Upon making enquiries it transpired that the lamb was delivered
on Friday and immediately boiled. It was then left to cool in a larder
until Monday, when it was again boiled and served to about 45
people, 14 of whom complained of diarrhoea and vomiting during the
same night or early the next morning, but in all cases the illness
was only of short duration.
The Bacteriologist on being informed of these facts gave it as
his opinion that the second boiling was the cause of the trouble and
that the Cl.Welchli was already in the meat when it was delivered,
and not introduced by the cook. She was given advice as to the care
of her hands when handling food, but not put off work.
Medicinal Baths
The Medicinal Baths in scotts Road, Shepherds Bush, provide for
the treatment of scabies, impetigo, and certain verminous conditions,
and occasionally psoriasis.
The figures showing the numbers dealt with during the year will
be found on reference to the table in the Statistical supplement. It
is pleasing to report once more a decrease in verminous conditions
and also in scabies infection. The total of verminous treatments at
904 was the lowest ever recorded, and with the exception of persons
of no fixed address, no heavy infestation was noted. The scabies figure
of 224 was 33% lower than in the previous year though 42 families
were Involved in treatment.
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