London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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Table LXXIX—continued.

No. of Sample.Colonies per c.c.B. Coli per. c.c.
Positive.Negative.
N.16158,000+ 01- 0.001
N.1734,000- 0.1
N.1840,000- 0.1
N.1933,600- 0.1
N.2068,000- 0.1
N.2112,000- 0.1
N.2220,400- 0.1
N.23960,000+ 0.001
N.2490,000+ 0.1- 0.01
N.2585,000+ 0.01- 0.001
N.268,000- 0.1
N.2714,000- 0.1
N.2840,000+ 0.1- 0.01
N.2986,400+ 0.1- 0.01
N.3048,000+ 0.01- 0.001
N.31344,000+ 0.001
S.1300,000+ 0.001
S.2206,000+ 0.001
S.3*9,200- 0.1
S.421,000+ 0.001
S.5 †4,400- 0.1
S.610,000- 0.1
S.78,000- 0.1

* Pasteurised. † T.T. (Cert.).
Eleven samples showed a high count of bactaria, B. coli being present
in .001 c.c. of twelve samples. The attention of the vendors was directed
to the reports and they were informed that steps must be taken to improve
the condition of the milk sold by them and to ensure that the apparatus
and utensils used were kept clean and sterile.
In eleven cases, in order to establish whether the milk was in good
condition when delivered at the premises, and to see that the measures
taken by the vendors were attended with good results, samples of milk
were taken in course of delivery in the early morning and samples of the
same milk were obtained later on the same day. These investigations
indicated that in the case of one milk bar the bacteria had multiplied
considerably since the milk had been deposited at the premises. The
proprietors, who own two milk bars in the district, were interviewed and
possible sources of contamination discussed with them, and arrangements
were made for samples of milk to be examined by their own bacteriologists
at different periods of the day. As a result, improved means of
storage and handling were installed with satisfactory results.
Samples taken subsequently indicated a general improvement.