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found to be considerably deficient in available carbon dioxide (standard—not less
than 10 per cent.), and these tenders were thus not recommended for acceptance.
(2) School meals.—In connection with the scheme for the provision of meals for
necessitous children, 120 samples were examined during the year, representing 60
two-course meals. Some of the individual meals showed a considerable divergence
from the standard, but such were not numerous and in each case advice was given
as to the deficient constituents. On the whole the meals supplied may be said to
have been well-balanced as well as satisfactory in quality and quantity.
(3) Food poisoning.—Two outbreaks of suspected food poisoning were investigated
during the year, and 9 samples were examined in connection with these.
In no instance was there evidence of the presence of any organic or inorganic chemical
poison.
(4) Itching powder.—In consequence of the complaint of a parent of a child
attending one of the Council's elementary schools, that skin trouble had been caused
to the child's back by a substance called " itching powder " having been put down
his back by another boy, a sample of the article in question was obtained and
examined. It was found to be poor quality mucuna (cowhage), which consists of
the hairs covering the fruit of a climbing plant growing in certain tropical localities.
It has a very irritating effect on the skin and it was advised that its indiscriminate
sale appears to be undesirable.
(5) Specifications.—In addition to questions involving specifications mentioned
elsewhere, those for the supply of battiste and jaconet for use in hospitals and
institutions were completely revised during the year, and a new one was drawn up
for the supply of the particular grade of soda lime required for use with an oxygen
tent.
(6) Enamelware.—The year 1935 was the second in which the revised specification
(described in last year's report) had been in force. During the year, 232 samples
were examined and of these 5 were rejected for not complying with the "acid resistance
"test and 6 for containing antimony. The percentage of rejections was thus
4.7, as compared with 25 per cent. for 1934, showing the great improvement in quality
of the articles of this ware now supplied by contractors for use in the Council's service.
The importance of ensuring that these articles shall be free from antimony and other
poisonous metals is again emphasised, as cases of poisoning have occurred through
lemonade or similar liquids having been contaminated by contact with enamelware
containing antimony.
(7) Coal gas in air.—Consequent on a complaint as to an unidentified smell, a
school was visited and a sample of air taken from a point on the floor at which the
odour was most apparent. Analysis revealed the presence of a very appreciable
amount of carbon monoxide indicating a serious leakage of coal gas. Investigation
by the authority concerned revealed the fact that a gas main in the road was fractured
and that the gas had percolated under an asphalt path and through the wall and thus
gained access to the interior of the school.
In another school situated in the vicinity of gas holders, complaint was made
that the air was at times seriously contaminated by gas. It was arranged for samples
of air to be taken when the alleged nuisance occurred and these were analysed. None
contained more than the slight trace of carbon monoxide which is normally present
in London air, and is derived from the exhaust gases of motor vehicles. There was
consequently no evidence of any appreciable amount of coal gas gaining access to
the school rooms.
The total number of milk samples examined during the year in the laboratory
at County Hall was 155. Of this number 47 were of milk supplied to children in
residential schools, whilst 93 were from supplies to general, special and mental
hospitals and public assistance institutions, under contracts which require a
minimum of 3.25 per cent. of fat and 8.5 per cent. of other solids, except during
the months of March and April, when the fat must not be less than 3 per cent., and
15 were from farms attached to institutions, etc. The quality of the supplies generally,
has been less satisfactory than in recent years, 9 samples (6.4 per cent.) being
deficient in fat.
Milk samples.