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47
received the outbreak was already ended; there was no reason to anticipate its continuance,
nor did any further cases occur. The position, although fortunately unassociated with any
serious developments, directed attention to the importance of early information of all such
cases being furnished to Medical Officers of Health. With this object in view, and
particularly having regard to the public concern in food poisoning cases aroused by the
press references above referred to, a circular letter was sent to all medical practitioners
practising in the Borough drawing attention to the importance of the matter and expressing
the hope that should they be called in to attend any case of illness in the Borough due, or
suspected to be due, to food poisoning, they would notify such case to the Medical Officer of
Health at the earliest possible stage.
The Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations, 1925.
The Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Amendment Regulations, 1926.
The above regulations came into operation on the 1st January, 1927, except
that in the case of the following operation of the regulations was postponed to the
under-mentioned dates:—
(1) Bacon, ham, egg yolk and articles of food
ing preservative necessarily introduced by the
use in their preparation of preserved margarine 1st July, 1927.
(2) Butter, cream and articles of food containing
preservative necessarily introduced by the use in
their preparation of preserved bacon, preserved
ham, preserved egg yolk or preserved cream 1st January, 1928.
(3) Articles of food containing preservative necessarily
introduced bv the use in their preparation of
preserved butter 1st July, 1928.
Tn the year 1928 only five articles of food, were found on analysis to contain
preservative contrary to the provisions of the regulations, namely, four sausages
containing sulphur dioxide (reference to these is made on page 49) and one
sample of butter containing boric acid (see page 48).
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
The following observations refer to samples purchased and analysed during
the year:—
Apples.
Six samples of imported apples, including Jonathans, Sturmer Pippins and Newtown
Pippins were examined for the presence of arsenic. In one sample no arsenic was found; in
the other five arsenic was present in the following quantities:—
1/900 grain per lb. Sturmer Pippin.
1/840 ,, ,, ,, Newtown Pippin.
1/520 ,, ,, ,, Jonathan.
1/320 ,, ,, ,, Newtown Pippin.
1/210 ,, ,, ,, Jonathan.