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66
Other Foods.
Shops in which fish, poultry, fruit, or other perishable
food is exposed for sale are frequently visited, and the articles
carefully examined.
Larder Accommodation.
The provision of a suitable larder for the storage of
perishable food is a very important matter in relation to
health, especially where milk and meat are concerned.
From the records relating to the 442 houses visited in the
house-to-house inspections during the year, the remarkable
fact emerges that only 58 (or 13.1 per cent.) were provided
with any larder accommodation. In the remaining houses
food was kept in cupboards, etc.
Whilst much is done to protect the public food supply
before reaching the consumer, it is surprising what little care
is taken to provide proper arrangements for storage in connection.
with the dwellings. In the warm weather this deficiency
is one that thrusts itself upon one's notice in the
visits made to premises where cases of Diarrhoea occur, the
Health Visitor frequently reporting unfavourably upon this
matter. It is a pity that Sanitary Authorities have no power
to make a Byelaw compelling the provision of sufficient larder
accommodation, properly lighted and ventilated, in every
new house; the defect is by no means confined to those built
years ago.
Sale of Foods and Drugs Acts.
The County Council of Middlesex is the Executive
Authority for administering the main provisions of the above
Acts. I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Richard Robinson
(the responsible official) for the following statement as to
samples purchased in Finchley during 1914:—