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138
however, be difficult to provide that no decomposing crab found its way into
the copper, and if, unfortunately, this happened, the whole batch would
be affected. This, in all probability, is what happened in the present case.
It is therefore obviously in the interest of the salesmen to see that only
absolutely fresh and sweet crabs are cooked.
PACKING OF FISH AT BILLINGSGATE MARKET.
An incident illustrative of the necessity for the observance of scrupulous
cleanliness in the conduct of the fish trade came before my notice in
November.
A case of Enteric Fever was notified in an outlying borough, and in the
course of the usual investigations following such cases, it was ascertained that
the patient had a particular liking for fried fish, which he always purchased
from a local vendor.
When approached on the matter, this vendor, while not admitting the
possibility of infection from his fish, made a serious complaint with regard to
the dirty condition of the boxes in which he received his fish from Billingsgate.
He alleged that it was no infrequent occurrence for such boxes to
arrive "filthy and stinking, and look as if they had never been washed out."
The decaying and decomposing remains of previous contents frequently
adhering to the sides and in the corners, the fish in contact with the wood of
the boxes was often so foul-smelling that it had to be destroyed, and only
such of the contents as had escaped contact with this dirty receptacle was fit
to eat.
The Fishmongers' Company had, prior to my representation in the case,
requested the market salesmen to adopt a more systematic method of ensuring
that their wares were at least packed in decently clean cases, but at my
request they undertook again to take this matter up, and the following letter
to the salesmen indicative of more stringent action in the future, has at any
rate resulted in the absence of further complaint.
"It has unfortunately been the practice for boxes containing fish to
"be used over and over again without being thoroughly washed.
"Serious complaints have recently been made by Medical Officers of
"Health and others.
"Illness has been traced by the pollution of fish by being in contact
"with the decaying matter in the boxes.
"I will thank you to ask your consignors for the future to see that
"all boxes are properly cleansed before fish is placed in them.
"It is the intention of the Company in the future to detain and destroy
"all boxes their Meters consider unfit for use."