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Some 120 hot dimmers per week were being delivered by the Society
to aged people in the City under this arrangement at the end of the year,
and the Society were hopeful of expanding the service.
Insulin Treatment and Diabetic Patients.
During part of the year the Council provided, free of charge, insulin
treatment for one diabetic patient in the City at a cost of £4 17s. 3d.
Botulism.
In June information was received that two men who had partaken
of a meal on 5th June in a restaurant in the City had been removed to
hospital suffering from suspected Botulism. One of the patients who
was aged 55 died in hospital, the other recovered.
The Ministry of Health were notified and an inquiry into the circumstances
was immediately put in hand.
Evidence of a third person who had partaken of a meal on the same
date at the same restaurant came to light, and after discussions with
the owners of the restaurant information was forthcoming resulting in
the tracing of two further patients. These three later cases, all women,
ultimately recovered. None of the patients were resident within the
City although they were employed at premises within the area. .
Medical Officers of the Ministry of Health and Central Public Health
Laboratories collaborated in the investigation, and Officers and Staff of
the firm concerned gave every assistance. Samples of food and utensils
used were examined but no conclusive evidence was obtained pointing to
any particular food as being the cause of the outbreak.
Food Poisoning.
Three cases of food poisoning occurred in May amongst members of
two families living in different areas of the City. The source of the trouble
was traced to a liver galantine manufactured in the provinces which had
been consumed by the patients. The makers of this product were
informed and information was received that similar cases were occurring
in various parts of the country where the patients were alleged to have
consumed a similar product, and steps were immediately taken by the
manufacturers to recall stocks of this particular product which had been
distributed by them. There were no fatalities in the two Westminster
families.
Slaughter of Animals Act, 1937.
During the year the Council granted licences to 21 persons to act as
slaughtermen under the provisions of the above-mentioned Act. All
the applicants for licences were undergoing training under the auspices
of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This
training included the humane slaughtering of animals, and the licences
were granted to enable the applicants to act in this latter capacity.