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105
Considering the large number of these establishments in the City, it is
satisfactory to note that in only four cases was it found necessary to take
steps to remedy sanitary defects, and in no case was there any occasion to
take legal proceedings.
Three cases of infectious disease were notified as having occurred at
registered milkshops. In each instance the proprietors were prohibited from
dealing in milk until the premises had been certified by your Medical Officer
of Health as free from infection.
A case was reported by one of the City clergy in which a woman, suffering
from a specific contagious disorder, was found to be personally engaged
in the conduct of business at a milkshop. The matter being brought to the
attention of her husband, he at once consented to the woman ceasing to take
any active part in the business.
In Appendix E, p. 163, will be found the revised Regulations for Milkshops,
&c., made by the Court of Common Council, which came into force on the
1st day of September, 1903, and which supersede all Regulations heretofore
made under, or having effect in pursuance of the Dairies, Cowsheds and
Milkshops Order of 1885, so far as were in force in the City of London.
A copy of these Regulations was left with every Registered Dairyman or
Purveyor of Milk, and attention particularly directed to the regulation
provided to ensure the provision of suitable coverings for all milk vessels, for
the purpose of protecting the milk at all times from contamination.
So far as is known such a provision does not occur in any other Regulations,
although the great importance of keeping milk free from contamination by
dust and dirt is well recognised. In view of the enormous amount of traffic
this Regulation is especially valuable in the City.
ICE CREAMS.
In the summer of 1902 your Medical Officer of Health reported that out
of 23 samples of ice cream procured in the City, no less than 12, or about
52 per cent., were found to be absolutely poisonous, and that cases of illness
with definite and similar symptoms had occurred amongst persons who had
consumed them. This was before the statutory provisions relating to ice
creams were in force, as they did not come into operation until the 1st
November following.
During 1903 only one case of this kind was notified. In this instance, a
lad, aged 15, who had been in the habit of buying icecream from a shop in the