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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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that B. Coli was absent in 1 m.l. or present only in 0.1 m.l. (which must be regarded as
satisfactory). It is difficult to reconcile the two conflicting reports on the same samples, and
it is for this reason, no doubt, that the test is regarded only as a provisional one. The
explanation is, perhaps, that the methylene blue test varies according to the type and activity
of the bacteria rather than their number. The ice cream vendors and manufacturers in the
borough are not only aware of the interest which your officials are taking in securing purity
of ice cream, but are co-operating with them in their work and I consider this to be a state of
affairs which presages well for the future.
I would add that in spite of the many difficulties encountered, many improvements
have been made both in equipment and premises during the year under review, the benefits
of which are not reflected in this year's results inasmuch as many of them were not made until
the end of the year. It is hoped, therefore, that the results of 1948, will show a marked
improvement on 1947.
There were also two samples of synthetic bakery filling cream taken from a very large
manufacturer of this product in the borough. Both samples were reported to be very
satisfactory from a bacteriological point of view.
Legal Proceedings.
The following prosecutions were undertaken during 1947 in respect of food and drugs:—
| Date of Hearing. | Offence. | Result of Proceedings, Court and Magistrate. |
|---|---|---|
| 15.4.47 | Selling apple tonic wine deficient in proof spirit by 12.9 per cent. of the amount stated on the label | Fined £10. Costs £10 10s. Mr. Bertram Reece, Clerkenwell. |
| 21.4.47 | Exposing for sale two hen carcases intended for but unfit for human consumption | Fined £4. Costs £1 1s. Mr. Ronald Powell, Marylebone. |
| Do. | Selling a hen carcase intended for but unfit for human consumption | Case not dealt with separately. Mr. Ronald Powell, Marylebone. |
| 10.6.47 | Selling beef sausages containing only 28 per cent. of meat | Fined £2. Costs £5. Mr. Powell, Clerkenwell. |
| 16.6.47 | Selling flour intended for but unfit for human consumption | Fined £3. Costs £5 5s. Mr. Powell, Clerkenwell. |
| 11.8.47 | Failing to prevent the risk of contamination of ice cream | Case not dealt with separately. Mr. Paul Bennett, V.C., Marlborough Street. |
| Do. | Storing ice cream at unregistered premises | Fined £25. Costs £5 5s. Mr. Paul Bennett, V.C., Marlborough Street. |
| 6.10.47 | Selling split peas intended for but unfit for human consumption | Fined £5. Costs £4 4s. Mr. Bertram Reece, Clerkenwell. |
| 13.10.47 | Non-brewed vinegar deficient in acetic acid to the extent of at least 59.5 per cent. | Dismissed under Probation of Offenders' Act. Costs £2 2s. Mr. Frank Powell, Clerkenwell. |
| 5.11.47 | Failing to take all such steps as might be reasonably necessary to prevent risk of contamination of food in the bakehouse and flour loft | Summons withdrawn. Mr. Paul Bennett, V.C., Marlborough Street. |
| Do. | Bun intended for but unfit for human consumption | Fined £5. Costs £5 5s. Mr. Paul Bennett, V.C., Marlborough Street. |
| 10.11.47 | Selling stout intended for but unfit for human consumption | Dismissed under Probation of Offenders Act. Costs £2 2s. Mr. Ivan Snell, Marylebone. |
| 27.11.47 | Selling loaf of bread intended for, but unfit for human consumption | Fined 40s. Costs £3 3s. Mr. T. F. Davies, Clerkenwell. |
| Do. | Failing to take all such steps as might be reasonably necessary to prevent risk of contamination of food | Fined 40s. Mr. T. F. Davies, Clerkenwell. |