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42
PUBLIC HEALTH (SHELLFISH) REGULATIONS, 1935.
The above-mentioned Regulations, which came into operation on the 1st January,
1935, authorised the Medical Officer of Health for a local authority, who is in possession of
information that any person is suffering or has recently suffered from infectious or other
disease attributable to the consumption of shellfish, or has reason to believe that the consumption
of shellfish exposed for sale within the district is likely to cause danger to public
health, to make such enquiries and take all such steps as are practicable to ascertain the
layings from which such shellfish were derived. For this purpose, the local authority may
require any fishmonger supplying shellfish in the district to furnish to the Medical Officer
of Health a list of all layings from which his supply has been derived during any period not
exceeding six weeks immediately preceding the date of requisition, together with any
other information which will assist the Medical Officer of Health in ascertaining the layings
from which the suspected shellfish were derived. Provision is made for dealing with such
special circumstances as operate in the City of London, where there are, of course, no layings,
by Article 4 (4), which provides that a copy of any report made by the Medical Officer of
Health in connection with this matter shall be forwarded to the local authority within whose
district the laying is situate. Power is given to the authority of that area to make an order
prohibiting the distribution for sale for human consumption of shellfish taken from such
a laying, either absolutely or subject to such exceptions and conditions as the authority
may think proper.
So far as the City is concerned, therefore, these Regulations mean that, in appropriate
cases, the authority where layings from which suspected shellfish have been received will
receive a copy of any report which your Medical Officer may make on the matter, and will
then exercise their discretion after investigation as to the making of an order, but Section 8
will authorise the City to appeal to the Minister of Health if the outside authority fails to
make an order at all or within a reasonable time, or does not provide adequate safeguards
for the public health.
The measure in question is a very useful one.
PUBLIC HEALTH (MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1924.
The improvement reported last year has been maintained, but there is still a number
of persons to whom the Regulations are unknown or who evade them.
Butchers who visit the market about twice a week and at irregular times are particularly
difficult to supervise.
The market carriers know the Regulations and the advantage of maintaining their
vehicles in a fit and proper condition.
The market porters, generally, also carry out the Regulations, although a number appear
to object to the wearing of a washable head-covering.
Private cars are still used for the conveyance of meat, but many of these have been
fitted with an adjustable boxed inner lining, which is easily detached and cleansed, thus
avoiding the serious contamination which must occur unless very special precautions are
taken in the use of these vehicles for this purpose.
During the year 1935 no prosecutions were taken, but 775 contraventions of the Regulations
have been recorded, mostly of a minor kind, and cautionary letters have been
forwarded where necessary.
The high standard of cleanliness with regard to the butchers' shops reported last year
has been maintained.
The depots used as distribution centres by multiple restaurants are the subject of
constant supervision, and improvements have been made in many of these premises.
The premises used for the manufacture of sausages and meat products within the
City show a general state of cleanliness.
The general improvements noted during the past year are the result of cordial co-operation
between persons and associations responsible for the carrying out of the Regulations
and the officers of my department.