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
Paddington 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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60
FOOD SUPERVISION.
Slaughterhouses.—There were, at the end of the year 1933, two slaughterhouses within the
Borough:—
275, Edgware Road;
249, Maida Vale.
These slaughterhouses were formerly licensed by the London County Council, but on the coming
into operation of the Transfer of Powers (London) Order, 1933, that duty devolved upon the Borough
Council, together with other duties relating to the supervision of slaughterhouses.
There were 250 inspections made during the year. The number of animals slaughtered, so far
as is known, was 3,869, comprising 184 bullocks and 3,685 sheep, a decrease of 16 bullocks and
109 sheep as compared with 1932.
The following Table shows the number of organs destroyed, and the disease with which they were affected:—
| Bullocks. | Sheep. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heads. | Tongues. | Lungs. | Livers. | Mesenteries. | Stomachs. | Lungs. | Livers. | Hearts. | Pieces. | |
| Tuberculosis | 7 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| Actinomycosis | 1 | 1 | _- | — | — | - | - | - | - | — |
| Abscess | _- | -_ | 17 | - | - | - | 20 | 20 | 20 | - |
| Distomum Hepaticum | — | - | 2 | 90 | - | - | - | 1 | — | — |
| Parasitic Invasion | — | - | - | — | - | - | 384 | 50 | 36 | — |
| Cyst | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | — | — |
| Pneumonia | - | - | - | — | - | - | 4 | 3 | 3 | 16 lbs. |
| Pentastomum Denticulatum | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Not identified | — | — | — | - | — | — | 49 | 27 | 19 | — |
| 8 | 8 | 23 | 101 | 6 | 2 | 457 | 101 | 78 | — | |
Total weight, 2,284 lbs.
In addition to the animals slaughtered in the licensed slaughterhouses, a number of pig carcases
arrive in the Borough which have not been previously inspected. During 1933 the number of
carcases was 101. On examination it was found necessary to destroy two heads and three plucks,
weighing 50 lbs., all affected with tuberculosis.
Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933.—The purpose of this Act is to provide for the humane and
painless slaughter of animals and for the licensing of slaughtermen. Prior to its coming into
operation on the 1st January, 1934, the Council passed a resolution extending to sheep, ewes, wethers,
rams and lambs, the provisions of Section I relating to instantaneous slaughtering or stunning, and
granted licences to the three slaughtermen who follow that occupation in the Borough.
Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924.—It was not found necessary to take any legal proceedings
under these Regulations during the year. Occasional defaults were dealt with by means of a caution.
Poultry Slaughtering.—This business is dealt with by special bye-laws. The only poultry
slaughterhouse in the Borough is situated at No. 51, Shirland Road. During the year 50 inspections
were made and approximately 4,830 head of poultry were slaughtered.
Unsound Food.—Summonses were issued against three vendors for exposing for sale various
articles of food which were unfit for human consumption. Fines were inflicted and costs awarded
as shown in the summary of Legal Proceedings. (See page 57.)
Food Purveyors.—At the end of the year there were some 885 purveyors of food in the Borough,
classified as follows:—Butchers 84, Fishmongers 26, General 68, Grocers 117, Fried Fish 36,
Refreshments 131, Confectioners 123, Greengrocers 108, Milk 127, Provision 65.
In addition to the above, there are 90 licensed Street Traders selling food within the
Borough, namely:—Fruit and Vegetables 65, Ice Cream 10, Light Refreshments 11, Rabbits and
Poultry 2, Fish 1, Sweets 1. These, with the storage premises of 25 Street Traders licensed by other
boroughs, are under constant supervision.