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
Croydon 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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Nine samples proved to be tuberculous. Six samples were from supplies
coming from Sussex and three from local farms. A considerable number of
cows were examined by the Authorities' Veterinary Officers, suspected animals
isolated and samples taken. As a result of their investigations seven
animals were dealt with under the Tuberculosis Order, 1925.
The following table summarises the results of the bacteriological examination of ordinary milk samples, taken under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, from 1st January to 31st December, 1939.
| ORDINARY MILK | Present | Absent | Over 100,000 per m.l. | Under 100,000 per m.l. | Present | Absent | Present | Absent | Exceeding a trace | Not exceeding a trace | Satisfied | Not satisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubercle bacillus | 9 | 250 | ||||||||||
| Total no.of bacteria | 40 | 219 | ||||||||||
| Blood | 2 | 257 | ||||||||||
| Pus | 259 | |||||||||||
| Detritus | 259 | |||||||||||
| Methylene Blue | Test | 319 | 40 | |||||||||
| 9 | 250 | 40 | 219 | 2 | 257 | 259 | 259 ; | 319 | 40 |
The 259 samples taken under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act,
1915, were samples of milk which had been produced in the following areas:-
No.obtained. No. tuberculous.
Croydon 14 3
Kent
Surrey
Sussex 23 6
Unclassified 222
These samples could not be classified owing to the fact
that it was mixed milk of large dairy firms or wholesale
purveyors of milk, who obtain their milk from practically
all the areas mentioned in the above table.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF ICE CREAM.
In addition to chemical analyses as shown under the Food and Drugs Act
section, bacteriological examination of ice cream was carried out in 44
instances, mainly at producers premises. Suggestions were made to producers
as to the conduct of the business, the provision of new or additional plant
was made, and considerable improvements were indicated in consequence of the
action taken.
FOOD AND DRUGS (ADULTERATION) 1928 ACT
AND FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938.
During the year 386 samples of milk (384 new 2 condensed) and 821 other
samples were taken.
lu 1 instance the vendor was warned.
14 samples of ice cream were taken during the year. The Public Analyst
reports that 4 of these samples contained fat in amounts varying from 2.1 %
to 9.8 10 contained fat in amounts varying from 10.2 % to 14 %
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