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

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City of London 1948

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

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BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.

The following specimens were examined during the year :—
Throat swabs1Articles of Food24
Sputa4Well water10

DIPHTHERIA ANTI-TOXIN.
Quantity provided to private practitioners Nil.

MEAT INSPECTION.

Tons.Cwts.Qrs.Lbs.
Meat, &c., delivered at Smithfield Market286,216000
Meat, &c., surrendered at Smithfield Market115624
*80000
Meat, &c., surrendered at Leadenhall Market and City shops2111112
Meat, &c., surrendered at Cold Stores88125
*7000
Various commodities surrendered and sent to Lett's Wharf527324

Number of eggs surrendered and sent to Lett's Wharf, 1,161.
* Approximate weights collected on behalf of the Ministry of Food.
Number of examinations.—Two D.P.H. One Diploma in Sanitary Science.
Number of students who attended for tuition during the year, 136.
PUBLIC HEALTH (MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1924.
The improvement in carriage of meat noted in past reports has been maintained, although, of
course, the quantities carried are very much less than in pre-war years.
26 infringements were noted in connection with the transport of meat in private cars, but
the fault was remedied on each occasion on instructions given.
PREMISES WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED AND OFFERED FOR SALE.
All these premises are subject to regular inspection. Without exception all criticisms have
received immediate attention.
ITINERANT FOOD VENDORS.
Constant inspections of barrows and of itinerant food vendors have been maintained and no
difficulty has been experienced in connection with this class of trade.
FOOD INSPECTION.
The food delivered at riverside wharves and premises in the City has consisted of the customary
varieties, and has been the subject of constant i nspection. 357 tons 0 cwts. 2 qrs. 10 lbs. were condemned
as unfit for human consumption. 67 tons 5 cwts. 3 qrs. 11 lbs. of this food were utilised for
stock feeding, fertilizing or manufacturing purposes. The remainder, consisting of 254 tons 18 cwts.
1 qr. 9 lbs. was destroyed either by the Cleansing Department of the City Corporation, being useless
for stock feeding purposes, or else on the sites on which it was condemned.
FOOD AND DUGS ACT, 1938, AND FOOD REGULATIONS.
473 samples have been submitted to the Public Analyst; 28 of these were formal samples and
445 were informal samples.
Twelve samples were reported against.
The percentage of adulterated samples was 2.5.
Legal proceedings were necessary in three cases and in four cases cautions were administered.
Seven Supplementary Licences were issued under the Milk (Special Designations) Regulations,
1936-48.
Nineteen samples of milk were submitted to the Bacteriologist for examination by the Phosphatase
and Methylene Blue Tests. These Tests respectively, give indications of the adequacy of the heat
treatment and of the keeping quality of the milk.
ICE CREAM.
18 samples of Ice Cream were submitted to the Bacteriologist and 14 were analysed by the
Public Analyst.
The samples sent to the Bacteriologist were subjected to the Methylene Blue Test in accordance
with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health. This Test affords an index of contamination
but where adverse results were reported and especially where previous results had been bad it was
considered advisable to have complete bacteriological examinations made in addition. Such were
carried out in nine cases.
Resulting from this sampling and examination, communications were forwarded to the Medical
Officers of Health of two Districts where the Ice Cream was manufactured. In one case it was
ascertained that new plant was being installed by the manufacturer and samples since taken have
shown satisfactory results, and in the other the retailer has changed his source of supply.
In accordance with the powers conferred by the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, and in order to see
that the requirements of that Act and of the Ice Cream (Heat Treatment, &c.) Regulations, 1947,
were being complied with, premises concerned with the manufacture, storage and sale of Ice Cream
have been inspected.
There have been nine new registrations for the sale and storage of Ice Cream, and in four cases
the use of premises for such purpose has been discontinued.