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INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
Sampling. 1940 samples of food and drugs (Formal and
Informal) were submitted for analysis to the Public Analyst
and 44 samples of food were submitted for bacteriological
examination. The public analyst reported adversely upon
97 and unfortunately in ten cases legal proceedings had to
be instituted because the adulteration seemed to be with
intent to defraud. The percentage of adulteration is 5%,
10 prosecutions under the Food and Drugs Act were
instituted. In 7 cases fines were imposed, 2 cases were
dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act, on payment
of costs, and in one case the summons was withdrawn.
Unsound Food. 24 ton3 (approx.) of unsound food were
condemned as unfit for human consumption. Very little of
this was destroyed and where possible it was utilised for
pig feeding, soap manufacture or manures. In addition
considerable work was entailed in sorting and examining food
in shops and stores which had been damaged by enemy action.
Meat Inspection. This has been carried out at the meat
depot of the London Wholesale Moat Supply Association Ltd.,
Stockwell Road, as well as at retail shops. Owing to the
centralisation of slaughtering only occasional killings
have taken place in the Borough, these being entirely
confined to pigs belonging to pig clubs. The number
slaughtered and inspected was 64.
Preparations for the Decontamination of Food. At the
request of the Ministry of Food steps were taken to set up
an organisation for dealing with food which might become
contaminated in the event of the enemy using gas. This
involved the acquisition and adaptation of a suitable site
and the enrolment and training of volunteers to assist in the
work. The service is now ready for operation.
SCABIES AND VERMINOUS PERSONS,
The incidence of scabies has materially increased
during 1941 but the arrangements made many years ago with
the adjoining councils of Battersea and Southwark have
coped satisfactorily with the increasod numbers. A total
of 709 persons v/ere treated at the cleansing stations and
given 1,739 baths compared with 327 persons treated in 1940.
PREVALENCE AND CONTROL OVER INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES.
The incidence of no particular infectious disease
calls for comment but the exceedingly small numbers of all
kinds is puzzling when they received every encouragement to
spread from environmental conditions of shelter life and
black out.
Tuberculosis
Notifications received during the year
ended 31st December, 1941.
Pulmonary 301 (297)
Non-pulmonary 44 (41)
Deaths certified 221 (202)
6.