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
Acton 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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22
Supervision of Food Supply. The Middlesex County Council
is the authority for the administration of the Food and Drugs Acts
in the area, and I am indebted to Mr. Robinson, the Chief Officer
of the Public Control Department for the following figures relating
to Acton.
List of samples taken during the year ended December 31st, 1924:—
| Article. | Taken. | Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 242 | 6 |
| Milk, separated | 6 | — |
| Cream | 5 | — |
| Butter | 9 | |
| Beer | 2 | — |
| Cocoa | 1 | — |
| Coffee | 3 | — |
| Cream of Tartar | 1 | — |
| Potash, Bicarbonate of | . 1 | — |
| Potash, Chlorate of | 1 | — |
| Prepared Chalk | 1 | — |
| Sauce | 2 | 1 |
| Vinegar | 3 | — |
| 277 | 7 |
The figures given for adulterated samples include some adulterated
informal samples in respect of which no proceedings could
be taken.
Milk Supply.—There are one cowshed and 88 dairies and
milkshops on the register. Of the 80 premises from which milk
is retailed, 8 are branches of one firm, and 2 of another firm; lfi of
the registered purveyors have shops and rounds, Hi have rounds
only, 12 are dairy shops, 4 are primarily caterers of food, 38 have
general shops, and 2 are general shops, but each has a round attached
to the business.
Slaughterhouses and Butchers.-There are 1 registered and
2 licensed slaughterhouses in the district.
In the autumn of 1924, arrangements were made for the
thorough inspection of all carcases slaughtered in the district.
During the latter part of the year, the inspection of all carcases in
one of the slaughterhouses took up most of the time of one inspector
and another man to assist him. The importance of this
work may be gauged from the following table, in which is given the
quantity of food seized at the slaughterhouses. About 8 per cent,
of the pigs slaughtered are affected with local tuberculosis; the
most usual sites of infection are the glands of the head and the
inguinal glands. When the submaxillary or cervical glands are affected
the whole head is seized. It is a significant fact that the