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for a customer, and it was disappointing to find that he was again a
carrier, the same organism being recovered from his hands. Further
safeguards were made which it is hoped will prevent any further cases.
(6) This outbreak occurred in a Government canteen wherein 13
people of a total number of 50 were affected. Five were taken to
hospital. The suspected article in this case was chicken sandwich
prepared from sliced galantine purchased from a source outside the
City of Westminster. Bacteriological examination of the sandwich
revealed the presence of staph, pyogenes, but the swabbing of the two
sandwich handlers in the canteen kitchen and the proprietor of the shop
from whence the chicken was purchased failed to reveal any of them
as carriers of the organism. During the course of the investigation
certain shortcomings in the food.handling process were discovered
and advice was subsequently offered to the Government Department
responsible for the elimination of these practices.
(7) Four people dined in a well.known restaurant and were
subsequently taken ill with severe abdominal pain, vomiting and
diarrhoea. The duration of the illness was only for one day and the
attack was of a moderate nature. The food eaten by each of the persons
affected consisted of steak, sauce Bernaise and chips. No food samples
were available for bacteriological examination. Three of the staff
employed in preparing food were swabbed and two were found to be
infected with staph, pyogenes, one belonging to a type capable of causing
intestinal illness. Suitable safeguards were adopted. No further cases
occurred.
(8) At a canteen run by a large publishing firm 22 persons were
mildly affected with abdominal pain and diarrhoea, the duration of the
illness being only 2 to 3 hours. The food causing this illness was thought
to be boiled beef, although no absolute conclusion could be reached.
The meat in question was delivered to the canteen on Friday afternoon
and boiled that same afternoon for 3 hours. It was left to cool in its
juice in the pan over the week.end until Monday, and the meat was
then sliced and heated on trays before serving for lunch. After complaints
of illness had been made, the manageress wisely withdrew the
meat from the menu and placed it in the canteen refrigerator until the
inspector called.
The Bacteriologist reported that it was just possible that the boiled
beef from which Clostridium Welchii was recovered, may have been
responsible for the outbreak. The presence of this organism is not so
far known to be capable of being conveyed by persons and therefore
does not imply any reflection on the preparation of the food.