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
Islington 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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1951 condemnation certificates were issued, and 320 inspections were necessary in
connection with this work.
Condemned food received from traders is either taken to the Council's refuse
disposal depot at Ashburton Grove, awaiting conveyance, under supervision, to the
refuse tip or is dyed in order to make it impossible for it to be re-sold or used for
human consumption. Condemned meat is used for animal feeding or industrial purposes.
Sampling
605 samples (8 formal and 597 informal) were sent to the Public Analyst for
examination. 32 of these samples, or 5%, were subject to adverse reports as shown in
the summary below. It should be noted, however, that a number of these were not
routine samples but samples taken after a complaint.
Formal Pood colouring 1
Informal
| Bread | 5 | Pork luncheon meat | 1 | |
| Butter | 1 | Pork pies | 2 | |
| Corned Beef | 1 | Rice and beef (canned) | 1 | |
| Cream cake | 1 | Rolls (cheese and tomato) | 1 | |
| Condensed milk, cream etc. | Sausages | 1 | ||
| 2 | Sausage rolls | 3 | ||
| Canned fish | 1 | Soft drink | 2 | |
| Jam | 1 | Skin lotion | 1 | |
| Milk | 5 | Vegetables | 1 | |
| Milk bottles | 1 |
27 samples were sent for bacteriological examination, mostly in connection with
food for exportation.
Meat Inspection
In accordance with the requirements of the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924/52 and the Meat Inspection Regulations 1963, notices were received during the year in respect of the intended slaughter of animals for human consumption. Details of action taken are as follows:-
| Cattle Excluding Cows | Cows | Calves | Sheep | Pigs | Horses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number killed (if known) | 256 | 1277 | 123 | 35 | - | 368 |
| Number inspected | 256 | 1277 | 123 | 35 | 368 | |
| Whole carcases condemned | 11 | 29 | 5 | 3 | - | 1 |
| Carcases of which some part or organ was condemned | 133 | 965 | 43 | 18 | 156 | |
| Percentages of the number inspected affected with disease other than tuberculosis and cysticercus bovis | 56. 25% | 77.84% | 39.02% | 60.00% | 42. 66% | |
| Whole carcases condemned | - | 1 | - | . | . | _ |
| Carcases of which some part or organ was condemned | 1 | |||||
| Percentage of the number inspected affected with tuberculosis | 0. 16% | |||||