London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
St Pancras 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, London, Borough of]
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107
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.—I obtained 250 samples of different articles
for analysis by the Public Analyst, of which 49 samples were adulterated, and
proceedings were taken in 16 cases.
Licensed Slaughter-houses.—I made 212 inspections of the eight private
slaughter-houses in the divisions, and saw 590 animals killed and dressed, and
such organs as on examination were found to be diseased I had removed by
consent of owners under Sub-section 8 of Section 47 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891.
I append the following table showing the number of animals found to be diseased, nature of disease, how affected and disposed of:—
| No. | Description of Carcase. | Disease. | How Affected. | How Disposed of. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pig | Tuberculosis | Carcase and Organs | Destroyed at Dust Destructor. |
| 5 | Oxen | Abscess | Livers | „ „ |
| 1 | Ox | Abscess | Lungs | „ „ |
| 1 | Ox | Flukes | Liver | „ „ |
| 1 | Ox | Tuberculosis | Liver and Lungs | „ „ |
| 1 | Ox | Echmococcus veterinorum | Liver | „ „ |
In addition, I found a few pigs' and sheeps' liver and lungs affected with
parasitical diseases; these were also destroyed.
In one case only did I find a breach of the By-laws; I served a notice on
the owner according to instructions.
Licensed Cowhouses.—I paid 246 visits to the nine licensed cowsheds, and
found them fairly satisfactory.
Milkshops.-I made 647 visits to milkshops, and with a few exceptions found
the premises generally satisfactory. During these visits 1 found 45 persons
selling milk without being registered in accordance with the Dairies, Cowsheds
and Milkshops Order.
Marketing Places. —I made 1,612 inspections of the various market places,
including also butchers, pork-butchers, poulterers, fishmongers, greengrocers
and fruiterers, and made applications to the magistrates sitting at the police
courts to condemn and order to destroy certain unsound foods. The following
food was destroyed, in addition to that found at slaughter-houses, but in most
cases by request of owners:—
2½ pigs' heads.
3¾lbs. of cherries,
lcwt. of mackerel.
3¼cwts. of skate.
36 William pears.
60 bananas.
81bs. plums.
Tomatoes and lemons.