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67
of any serious outbreak of epidemic disease occurring in his district, and the Memorandum
now under review enlarges this obligation in order to embrace isolated incidences of
food poisoning, e.g., one or two members of a household suffering in consequence of the
consumption of canned foods from a particular tin.
It is obvious that such isolated cases do not in themselves constitute "serious outbreak
of epidemic disease in the district," but it is within the realms of possibility that other
samples of the same brand of food may be involved in similar cases of illness elsewhere.
In point of fact, isolated cases have been brought to the knowledge of the Board, earlier
information of which would have materially aided the adoption of effective preventive
measures.
In any minor outbreak, where the implicated food has been prepared in the
district, the Memorandum suggests the advisability, as soon as the Medical Officer of
Health has established the probability that a particular food is at fault, of at once
proceeding to make investigations into the conditions of its preparation, and of
obtaining samples for chemical and bacteriological examination.
This is doubtless a new departure in many parts of the country, but in the City
of London for some years past considerable importance has been attached to the value
of chemical and bacteriological aid in definitely establishing the connection of any
suspected foodstuffs with incidence of illness, and the Corporation have for this
purpose retained the services of experts in these two branches of science.
As the Memorandum points out, however, it is neither desirable or necessary to
await the result of scientific examinations of the samples before instituting enquiries
that may throw light on the point as to how the poisonous elements (bacterial or
other) gained access to the food.
On immediate information the principal authority could obtain the complete history
of all the cases attacked, and supplementary enquiries could be made later on the result
of laboratory findings.
In order to secure uniformity in the methods of investigation, a form of enquiry
under the following headings was appended to the Memorandum.
1. Headings of enquiry into outbreaks of poisoning by meat foods.
2. Enquiries into affected households.
3. Enquiries at places of preparation where food implicated has been prepared
in the district.
4. Collection and examination of material for bacteriological examination.
The Board added, that while neither medical practitioners nor the general
public are under Statutory obligation to report cases of food poisoning to the Medical
Officer of Health, it would be generally appreciated if it were understood that Local
Authorities, with a view to safeguarding the public health, were prepared to institute
any necessary enquiries and investigations.
In order, therefore, that general publicity might be given to the matter, a circular
letter, of which the following is a copy, was issued to all medical men practicing