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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 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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51
FOOD SUPERVISION.
Slaughterhouses.—There were, at the end of the year 1934, two slaughterhouses within the
Borough:—
275, Edgware Road;
249, Maida Vale.
There were 250 inspections made during the year. The number of animals slaughtered, so far
as is known, was 3,961, comprising 200 bullocks and 3,761 sheep, an increase of 16 bullocks and
76 sheep as compared with 1933.
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. | |
| Tuberculosis | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Actinomycosis | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Abscess | — | — | 10 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Distomum Hepaticum | — | — | 2 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parasitic Invasion | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | 611 | 151 | 65 |
| Pentastomum Denticulatum | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | 10 | 26 | 84 | 3 | 1 | 613 | 153 | 67 | |
Total weight, 2,549 lbs.
A lamb carcase and pieces of meat, weighing in all 106 lbs., were also destroyed for various
reasons.
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 1934 the number of
carcases was 96. On examination it was found necessary to destroy 12 heads and offal, weighing
268 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. Licences were granted 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 4,420 head of poultry were slaughtered.
Unsound Food.—No proceedings were necessary in regard to food unfit for human consumption.
Food Purveyors.—At the end of the year there were some 887 purveyors of food in the Borough,
classified as follows:—Butchers 84, Fishmongers 26, General 68, Grocers 117, Fried Fish 37,
Refreshments 130, Confectioners 123, Greengrocers 108, Milk 129, Provision 65.
In addition to the above, there were at the end of 1934 74 licensed Street Traders selling food
within the Borough, namely:—Fruit and Vegetables 50, Ice Cream 10, Light Refreshments 10,
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.
There were 7 premises on which fish curing was performed, this business, as well as fish frying,
being regulated by special bye-laws.
The number of visits of inspection paid to premises occupied by food purveyors was 2,259.