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vi
Food Inspection.—In view of the increased price of food, the Council
decided that it was desirable to maintain the number of samples taken
for analysis. The Committee promised by the Local Government Board
before the war, to enquire as to the use of boric acid in cream, has not
been formed, and the Council's attempts to keep down the use of this
drug has been hampered thereby. The contention of the trade that the
amounts recommended in Dr. Hamuli's report should be adopted in
preference to that decided by the High Court has also led to some confusion.
Dr. Hamill's report was founded on an investigation by Mr.
Arthur Harden, D.Sc., on the length of time cream would keep sweet
with varying quantities of boric acid at various temperatures, and the
recommendations' were founded on his conclusions, apparently without
any considefation as to effects on health. On the other hand, the High
Court, whose decision it is sought to set aside in the interests of the
trade, found that 22 grains of boric acid per lb. of cream was injurious
to health. So long as the trade is allowed to use preservatives, it is
unlikely that steps will be taken to find other and better methods.
Since the Government sanctioned a low standard for milk, it has become
necessary for infants and children that larger amounts of cream should
be added to milk, and the necessity of having it free from boric acid is,
therefore, of the greatest importance. It would be much safer to raise
the legal standard of fat in milk, and prevent the abstraction which
now takes place to a large extent to the detriment of the children of the
poor, who cannot afford to buy cream separately to re-enrich the milk.
Staff.—Additional members of the staff, including one of the Sanitary
Inspectors, have joined the Army during the year, and the work has had
to be carried out with temporary assistance, or by the existing members
taking on extra work.
In view of the altered conditions, and the appointment of two
additional Health visitors, the Council, with the consent of the Local
Government Board, decided not to fill up the vacancy oaused by the
resignation of one of the women sanitary inspectors, whose duties have
been distributed among the existing inspectors and the visitors.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, my Lords, Lady and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
FRANCIS J. ALLAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
April, 1916.