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
East Barnet 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Barnet]
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Ninety-six samples of milk were purchased and submitted for
bacteriological examination to the Ministry of Health's Emergency
Public Health Laboratory, at Hertford.
The following is a summary of the results of the examinations:—
| No. of Samples Submitted | Test applied:— (a) Methylene blue. (b) Turbidity (c) Phosphatase. | Result of Examination. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undesignated | 3 | (a) | Satisfactory |
| T.T. Pasteurised | 18 | (a) and (c) | „ |
| T.T. Certified | 2 | (a) | „ |
| Pasteurised | 18 | (a) and(c) | „ |
| Homogenised Past | 10 | (a) and (c) | „ |
| Sterilised | 17 | (b) | „ |
| Channel Islands Pasteurise | 11 | (a) and (c) | „ |
| Tuberculin Tested | 3 | (a) | „ |
| T.T. Farm Bottled | 8 | (a) | „ |
| South Devon Pasteurised | 6 | (a) and (c) | „ |
A copy of the report of each sample was supplied to the retailer
or dairy proprietor. The percentage of unsatisfactory samples was
nil. The previous year it was 9 per cent.; in 1948, 3 per cent.; in 1947,
9 per cent.; in 1946, 6 per cent.; in 1945, 10 per cent.; in 1944,
7 per cent.; in 1943, 9 per cent.; in 1942, 18 per cent.; and in 1941,
33 per cent.
This is the first occasion on which I have been able to report all
samples satisfactory and as having passed the prescribed tests.
This is no doubt due to the fact that the coliform test—always a
doubtful test—has been eliminated, and that nearly all the milk
sold in this district is now heat treated.
Ice Cream
Seven applications were received for the registration of premises
for the sale of ice cream. Six were granted and one refused on the
grounds that the premises for which application was made were
unsatisfactory. Two hundred and sixty-four visits were paid to
registered premises.
Eighty samples were obtained and submitted for bacteriological examination, with the following results:—
| Provisional grade 1 | 49 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 9 |