London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1927

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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29
The samples were collected with the customary regard to cleanliness.
The following is a summary of Sir Frederick Andrewes' report on the result of the
bacteriological examinations:—
" Dirt.—Out of the 42 samples:—
17 were recorded as clean—i.e., no blackish material visible in deposit on standing.
20 had traces of dirt—i.e., small blackish particles were visible in deposit.
2 had rather more than mere traces of dirt.
3 were definitely dirty—though only moderately so—i.e., just over 7%.
"Tubercle.—One inoculated guinea pig (No. 15) died of an acute infection and must be
excluded from the series, but No. 7 may, I think, safely be included, as ten days had elapsed
between inoculation and death, and there were no signs of local inflammation. This leaves 41
guinea pigs, of which two died with tubercle.
"The percentage of tuberculous milk is thus 4.88, not quite so good a result as several
in recent years. The total absence of tubercle in last year's series was exceptional.
(Signed) F. W. ANDREWES.
The details in connection with the two cases in which the tubercle bacillus was
found were forwarded to the appropriate Medical Officers of Health. The following are
extracts from reports which have been received indicating unsatisfactory conditions at the
farms of origin:—
Sample No. 24.—" Samples have been taken from three cows which, in the opinion of the
Veterinary Surgeon, were suspicious, and have been sent for biological examination. Should
this examination prove that the cows are suffering from tuberculosis, they will be dealt
with by the County Council under the Tuberculosis Order of 1925."
Sample No. 31.—"Two samples of milk received from you on the 13th instant have
been examined microscopically for the presence of acid-fast organisms, and the result
in each case has proved positive."
I am informed that action was taken by the Council of the County in which the farm
was situate, to deal with the affected cows under the Tuberculosis Order, 1925.
The details with regard to the three samples which Sir Frederick Andrewes describes
as "definitely dirty" were also communicated to the appropriate Medical Officers of Health
in order that investigations at the farms might be made. In one case conditions which
might account for the dirt in the milk were found.

For purposes of comparison, the following summary of results obtained since the examination of milk on arrival in the City was first commenced in 1904, is here inserted.

Year.Percentage showing Tuberculous infection.Year.Percentage showing Tuberculous infection.
19047 .7 per cent.191914.8 per cent
19059.1 „1921124.2 „ „(1st series)
19068.0 „26.3 „ „(2nd „ )
19078.3 „12.5 „ „(3rd „ )
190912.5 „,, (1st series)19229.5 „ „
4.7 „„ (2nd „ )19232.6 „ „
19106.25 „192412.8 „ „
19126.6 „19252.4 „ „(1st series)
191310.4 „2.4 „ „(2nd „ )
191410.2 „1926—„ „
19158.5 „19274.88 „ „
19174.2 „,,

The chemical examination showed that, with one exception, all the samples were samples
of genuine milk. The exception was found to be sophisticated to the extent of 5% added
water and 8% fat abstracted. The consignor was fined £1 and £3 11s. 6d. costs. All the
samples were free from boracic acid and formalin.
SUPERVISION OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
During the year 1927, 1,006 samples of Food and Drugs were submitted to the Public
Analyst for examination. Of this number, 727 were taken as test samples without the
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