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48
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF FOOD.
During the year 26 samples of milk, eight samples of condensed milk, one
sample of skimmed milk, one sample of separated milk, one red salmon, two ox
tongues, one salmon steak, and one sample of liquid eggs were taken for
microscopical and bacteriological examination.
Of these samples 24, of which 15 were milks, were adversely reported upon
by the bacteriologist (Dr. Eastes), and communications were at once sent to the
party who seemed to be responsible for the unsatisfactory condition of the
article. In the case of contaminated milks, the Medical Officer of Health of the
district from which the milk came, if the source seemed to be on the farm, was
written to, and in every instance enquiries were made by this Officer and steps
taken to prevent contamination and to ensure the sending of as pure a milk as
possible into the Borough.
This practice of taking samples for bacteriological examination, inaugurated
by the Public Health Committee in iqo8, is being continued, and is likely to
result in a considerable amount of good being done.
WATER SUPPLY.
Water Supply to Dive I ling Houses.—Under the provisions of Section 48
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, certificates have been granted to 23
premises which have been rebuilt.
Under Section 78 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1907, which calls for the provision of a supply of water to upper storeys of
tenement houses, 164 Intimation Notices were served. In 115 of these cases the
notice was complied with, without the necessity for serving a Statutory Notice.
Of the 49 owners upon whom the latter notice was served, only three were
prosecuted for failure to comply with the requirements. The particulars of these
prosecutions will be found on page 60.
Water supply cut off.—During the year in 118 cases, the water supply to
premises was cut off by the Metropolitan Water Board, notice being given to
this Department as required by Section 49 (1) of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, in each case.
The reasons for discontinuing the supply were:—
Premises empty 88
Premises demolished 11
Defective pipes 8
Non-payment of rates 9
Waste of water 1
Supply not required 1
Total 118