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While inspecting butchers' shops, one of the Inspectors found a
number of joints of meat, mainly ribs of beef, in the refrigerator. The
meat was unsound and unfit for food, was seized and submitted to a
Magistrate, who ordered it to be destroyed.
At the hearing of the summons against the defendants the Magistrate
dismissed the summons under the Probation of Offenders Act on
payment by the defendants of £10 10s. costs, in view of the reputation
and satisfactory record of the defendants.
Certification of Food for Export.—Certificates enabling the export of
certain articles of food were granted in one instance—to Italy.
Nutrition—Dissemination of Knowledge.—The Ministry of Health
issued an important circular (1290) based on the work of Dr. Helen
Mackay, carried out on behalf of the Medical Research Council on the
question of nutritional anaemias of infancy. The circular also dealt with
the prevention of rickets and dental disease by the supply of foods rich
in vitamin D and calcium, e.g., milk, eggs and cod liver oil. The value of
milk to growing children was also emphasised. The circular and original
works of reference were obtained and circulated to the medical officers
of the maternity and child welfare centres. The sub-committee of the
Council concerned with maternity and child welfare attaches considerable
importance to the influence of diet in this work, and has arranged for
lectures and demonstrations to be given at the centres. The matter of a
well balanced and correct diet is a fundamental principle in the health of
any individual, and particularly the very young, the expectant mother,
or those whose general health from whatever cause is below standard.