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rats and mice
milkshop, and 11 cases of diphtheria, and 27 of scarlet fever in the families of milk
roundsmen, or the houses where they lived. Due precautions were taken in every instance
and there was no evidence of any spread of infection through the trade.
Ice-cream Trade.— This trade appears to have recovered its præ-war vigour. Last year
16 names were added to the Register, making a total of 87 vendors, comprising—
Proprietors of Sweet Shops 21
General Dealers 26
Refreshment House Keepers 19
Newagents 6
Greengrocers 1
Confectioners 6
Bakers 8
There are 9 "barrow men" of whom 3 trade outside the Borough.
Unsound Food.— While no seizure of unsound food was made during the year, a total of
9,604 lbs. of food stuffs were surrendered for destruction, of which amount 140 lbs.
(1.4 per cent.) was in course of transit, the same weight being dealt with at the slaughter
houses. In 1919 the total weight of food stuffs destroyed was 28,336 lbs. (10.5 per cent. being
in transit), and in 1920, 20,564 lbs. (27.9 per cent. in transit). The saving of food stuffs
indicated by the foregoing figures is the more satisfactory when the meteorological conditions
of the summer of 1921 are taken into consideration.
Other Work.— In addition to the work which may be designated "normal," of which
details have been given in the foregoing paragraphs, the Food Inspector made 150 enquiries
with reference to profiteering, and 160 on behalf of the Food Controller, whose functions
were revived during the coal strike.
VI.—RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The Department received 65 complaints during the year, 6 of which referred to mice. In
6 instances the complaints proved to be unfounded.
Where there was prima facie evidence of the presence of rats the drainage system of the
house and of adjacent premises was examined, such examination including the sewer connexions
beyond the curtilages of the premises. New sewer connexions were laid in to 33 houses and
complete systems of new drains to 4 houses. Minor defects to house drains were made good
and in certain instances new floors—some solid—put down in the basements. Separate
records of these works have not been kept. Rat poison was issued free to a large proportion
of the occupiers of the houses infested with rats.
A "Rat week" was held from 31st October to 5th November. The procedure described
in previous Reports was followed, but as to results nothing can be said, except that the baits
disappeared. No dead rats were found.
VII.—SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
Sampling.—The samples obtained numbered 601, of which 33 (5.4 per cent.) were found
to be adulterated. (See Table XXVIII.). In 1919 the proportion of adulterated samples was
5.1, and in 1920, 0.8. The proportions cited are in marked contrast with the averages for the
two preceding quinquennia—1909-13, 10.6 per cent.; 1914-18, 9.3.
Milk.—More than half the samples—313 in all—were of milk, 16 (5.1 per cent.) being
below the prescribed standard. In 1919, the proportion of adulteration was 7.2, and in
1920, 1.2, the quinquennial averages being 1909-13, 1T3, and 1914-18, 10.2.
Of 53 samples taken at the Paddington terminus in the second and third quarters of the
year, 11 were adulterated—20.7 per cent. as compared with 16.5 per cent. in 1919, and 4.4 in
1920. During 1909-13 the percentage was 29.6, and that during 1914-18, 39.2.
Of 64 "Sunday" samples only 1 (1.5 per cent.) was not up to standard, as compared with
5.1 per cent. during 1919-20, and 5.9 during 1914-18.
Excluding the 117 railway and "Sunday" samples, there remain 196 "shop" samples, or
which 4 were adulterated. The proportion of adulteration, 2.0 per cent., was slightly worse
than that recorded for the years 1919-20, viz. 1.3 per cent.
Other Samples.—Of the 313 samples of commodities other than milk, 17 were found to be
adulterated, equal to 59 per cent. In 1919, of 156 similar samples, 2 (1.2 per cent.) were
adulterated, and in 1920 of 269 samples, 1 (0.3 per cent.). Last year's proportion was by no
means satisfactory.