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 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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The inspection of the shop premises in the Borough (approximately 2,000) was commenced by
the District Inspectors, but in May the Council, with a view to expediting the enquiry, authorised
the appointment of a special temporary Sanitary Inspector for the work. This official resigned
in November and thereafter the District Inspectors resumed the inspections. Applications for 59
Certificates of Exemption from the provisions relative to the provision of “suitable and sufficient
sanitary conveniences available for the use of persons employed in or about the shop” were
received. Five such Certificates were issued, the remainder being under review at the end of
the year pending the decision of the Council as to the standards to be adopted.
FOOD SUPERVISION.
Slaughterhouses.–There were, at the end of the year 1935, two slaughterhouses within the
Borough:—
275, Edgware Road;
249, Maida Vale.
There were 300 inspections made during the year. The number of animals slaughtered, so far
as is known, was 2,782, comprising 208 bullocks and 2,474 sheep, an increase of 8 bullocks and a
decrease of 1,287 sheep as compared with 1934.
| Bullocks. | Sheep. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heads. | Tongues. | Lungs. | Livers. | Mesenteries. | Stomachs. | Lungs. | Livers. | Hearts. | |
| Tuberculosis | 1 | 1 | 1 | _ | 1 | 1 | _ | ___ | ___ |
| Actinomycosis | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Abscess | — | 3 | 7 | 4 | — | — | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Distomum Hepaticum | — | — | — | 59 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Parasitic Invasion | — | — | — | — | — | — | 337 | 44 | 28 |
| Pentastomum Deuticulatum | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Injury | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Pleurisy | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cystercercus Tenui-collis | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cavernous Angioma | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | 6 | 14 | 68 | 3 | 2 | 347 | 54 | 38 | |
| Total weight, 1,888 lbs. | |||||||||
Pieces of meat, weighing in all 50 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 1935 the number
of carcases was 80. On examination it was found necessary to destroy 5 heads and offal weighing
104 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 4,844 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 830 purveyors of food in the Borough,
classified as follows:—Butchers 74, Fishmongers 26, General 67, Grocers 106, Fried Fish 31,
Refreshments 122, Confectioners 112, Greengrocers 101, Milk 130, Provision 61.