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The number of visits made to infectious diseases and food
poisoning cases is slightly higher per case than previous years. This
is mainly due to the increased attention to cases of suspected food
poisoning.
During September 1954 we received a report from one of the large
factories in the district that there had been several cases of apparent
food poisoning at the factory on the previous day. On making a
visit to the factory it was found that some 35 employees had been
or were ill with symptoms of food poisoning.
All the persons who had been ill had eaten a meal at the factory
canteen and the only common food in each case was cheese. Subsequently
samples of cheese as served from the canteen and off the
whole cheese were taken and delivered to the Central Public Health
Laboratories at Colindale. The reports of the examination of the
cheese from the laboratories showed that both of these samples
were infected with staphylococci (150 million per gram) and
bacillus coliform (present in 0.01 gram) of a faecal origin. On
making further enquiries it was found that four whole cheeses had
been purchased by the company and that this was the first of these
cheeses to be used.
All the remaining cheese and the other three whole cheeses were
taken to the laboratory where samples were taken from them. The
results of the analysis of these samples showed that the used cheese
and two of the other three cheeses were heavily contaminated with
staphylococci and bacillus coliform. The remaining cheese being
free from contamination.
The reports from the pathologist made it clear that the cheese
had been contaminated during the course of manufacture and not
through handling or storing. The history of these cheeses was
explored and the importers were contacted and subsequently a visit
was received from the Agent concerned.
The matter was taken up by the Ministry of Food and the Agent
of the country of origin. In all probability the cause of this contamination
was due to a defective "starter" during the course of
manufacture and was not likely to recur in normal conditions.
HOUSING
During the year to which this report refers six demolition orders
under Section 11 of the Housing Act. 1936, were served and one
closing order under Section 10 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act, 1954. The demolition orders were served
on:—
42 and 44, Cat Hill, East Barnet.
17 and 19, Henry Road. New Barnet.
2 and 4, Hadley Road, New Barnet.
The closing order was served on:—
9, Warwick Cottages.
At the beginning of the year there were seven demolition orders
outstanding; one closing order and one case in which an
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