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

Barking 1965

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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During the year the Committee considered 25 complaints concerning food.
Sixteen were sent warning letters, and three were prosecuted. In one case it was
agreed that legal proceedings should be taken, but the main witness was unwilling
to give evidence; consequently, a warning letter was sent to the manufacturers.
Registration of Food Hawkers
Under the provisions of the Essex County Council Act, 1952, Section 103, two
persons were registered as food hawkers during the year.
Food Poisoning
The following is a copy of the annual return submitted to the Ministry of
Health:-

Table: Incidents and Cases

Incidents and Cases

Causative AgentGeneral OutbreaksFamily OutbreaksSporadic Cases
No. of separate outbreaksNo. of cases notified or ascertainedNo. of separate outbreaksNo. of cases notified or ascertainedNotified or ascertained
12345
S. typhimurium-5--2
Other Salmonellae-----
C1. welchii-----
Staph, aureus-----
Other causes-----
Cause unknown-----
Total-5--2

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The five cases shown in column 2 were part of an apparent outbreak which took
place at Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, whilst these people were receiving in-patient
treatment.
Food and Drugs - Sampling
Perhaps the most noticeable change recently is in the articles sampled - by
their names alone I am often quite unable to even hazard a guess as to the contents.

Table: With holidays abroad and the influx of immigrants, I suppose these changes are inevitable.

With holidays abroad and the influx of immigrants, I suppose these changes are inevitable.

ArticleNumber ExaminedNumber Adulterated
FormalInformalFormalInformal
Almonds,Ground-1--
Beetroot-1--
Biscuits-4--
Black Pudding-2--
Brawn-3--