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ix.
The quantity of meat and other articles of food found unfit
and condemned during the year rose from 53,029 lbs. in 1945
to 97,489 in 1946. The chief causes of this increase were in
supplies of Beef—an increase of 27,307 lbs., offal 18,904 lbs.,
canned and packeted goods, 5,761 !bs., fish and fruit and vegetables
showed a considerable decrease in the amounts condemned.
The reasons for the increases were probably in the case of beef
and offal, that the Ministry of Food began slaughtering at the
Corporation Slaughterhouse, previously slaughtering had been
done elsewhere. In the instance of canned goods this is probably
due to the letting on to the market of accumulated stocks.
Ice Cream was a source of anxiety as there are no standards
governing either cleanliness or food value. What should be a
clean and wholesome food is not seldom found to be quite the
reverse. Although there are no bacteriological standards for
ice cream the inspectors have worked to a local standard. Where
the bacteriological count exceeded 100,000 organisms per C.C.
or when B.Coli was found in 1/10th of a C.C. the suppliers were
visited and advised upon cleanliness measures and were later revisited
to note improvements or otherwise.
Milk supplies both as to quality and to a rather less degree
as to cleanliness were on the whole satisfactory. No sample
fell below the legal limit of 8.5 per cent. non fatty solids and
3.0 per cent. fats.
The picture drawn by statistics of births and deaths shows
that the health of Croydon has been maintained and the health
of babies and young children has improved. Unfortunately the
statistics available can only give a part of the general scene.
Figures of morbidity of mild illnesses and of catarrhal conditions
especially are not available. There is undoubtedly an impression
among medical men in general practice and others who come
into close contact with the adult population, that there is a
definite lowering of vitality. Upsets in health are more frequent
and mild infections are not thrown off as readily as they should
be. Especially among women with several children and a house
to run, and among the elderly, there is a lassitude which is a new
phenomenon. Calories are not the beginning and end of nutrition.
Variety in supplies and in cooking are equally important. The
limitation of certain essential food stuffs, especially fats and milk
is a restriction which should be lifted as soon as circumstances
permit, otherwise the general standard of health of the population
as a whole, will decline further.