London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION REGARDING ADULTERATION OR OTHER IRREGULARITY
| Article | Informal or Formal Sample. | Nature of adulteration or irregularity. | Action. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter (on rolls) | Formal | 100% margarine | Prosecution. |
| Milk (half pint bottle) | Informal | Contained piece of metal. | Written caution. |
| Milk (half pint bottle) | Informal | Contained splintered glass. | Written caution by City Solicitor. |
| Milk (from churn) | Formal | Unsatisfactory to Methylene Blue Test. Roundsman contravened Regulations by transferring milk from one container to another on other than registered premises. | Written caution. |
| Milk (from churn) Scrapings from churn lid | Informal , Informal | Bacteriologist's Reports adverse. Inner side of lid of churn contaminated. | Written caution. |
| Desiccated Coconut | Informal & Formal | Contained sulphite preservative equivalent to 165 and 135 parts per million sulphur dioxide respectively. | Written caution to wholesalers who have communicated with shippers and suppliers abroad. |
PROSECUTION.
Food and Drugs Act, 1955.
Offence Result
section 2.
Selling margarine on rolls when "buttered rolls" Summons dismissed. No costs allowed,
were asked for.
MERCHANDISE MARKS ACT, 1926.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE (GRADING AND MARKING) ACTS, 1928-1931.
No difficulty was experienced during the year in regard to the administration of these Acts.
PIGEON NUISANCE.
The Corporation, in exercise of their powers under Sec. 121 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936, from time to time cause the number of pigeons in the City to be reduced when it
appears to them either that their number is excessive, or that complaints of their congregation in
certain areas are justified.
Certain pigeon-catchers are authorised by the Corporation to carry out the necessary trapping,
and during 1956 458 pigeons were destroyed by this means.
CITY MORTUARY.
Bodies received 169
Post Mortem Examinations made 168
Inquest on bodies 36
Inquests held at Holloway Prison 1
Inquest on fires —
DISINFECTION AND CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS PERSONS, ETC.
Export of Clothing, &c.
No. of articles disinfected 1,230,661
Cases of horsehair 395
Clothing by weight 3 Tons. 5 cwt. 2 qrs.
Fees received £4,515
General Disinfection. Infectious Diseases, &c.
Articles of bedding disinfected 187
Premises disinfected after cases of infectious disease 4
Lockers at Post Offices disinfected 17
Verminous premises disinfected 12
Ambulances, vans, &c., disinfected —
Police Cells disinfected —
Cleansing of Persons
No. of verminous persons bathed 461
No. of Scabious Persons bathed 2
No. of verminous articles disinfected 4,155
Cleansing of Schoolchildren
No. of children cleansed 188
No. of articles disinfected 1,466
No. of children treated for Minor ailments 2,369
29.