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and suggested that these might be a source of human infection. In 1957, Walker
showed that 40 per cent. of samples of garden fertilizers were contaminated. Subsequently
various fertilizers and animal feeding stuffs were found also to contain similar
organisms (Reports 1959a and 1961). These included bone meal, hoof and horn
meal, dried blood, meat meal and fish meal, all of which can be purchased in retail
shops in this country.
"A study of pet foods and garden fertilizers on sale in the boroughs of Finchley
and Hendon is described in this paper and an attempt is made to assess the importance
of these materials as sources of human salmonellosis.
"Twenty-seven per cent. of samples of raw horse meat, 16 per cent. of other raw
meat, 11 per cent. of prepared pet meat and 13 per cent. of garden fertilizers were
found to be contaminated with salmonellae. Two new types were isolated, one of
which has been named Salm. finchley.'
"Persons in two of 46 human incidents in the boroughs may have been infected
by pet meats. It is suggested that pet foods are probably a more important source
of human salmonellosis than the pets themselves.
"Garden fertilizers are a potential source of human infection but the risk is probably
small. It is suggested that they should not be sold in shops selling food for
human consumption."
The survey has now been enlarged to cover raw meat for human consumption and
cloacal swabs from poultry.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Health Education comes more and more into the activities of the Public Health
Department and in certain subjects it really is the province of the specialist in Health
Education. It is my sincere wish that in the near future I shall be able to appoint such
a specialist to my staff, even if only in a part-time capacity. Considering the amount
spent on material education, the investment in health education is microscopical.
A number of talks on this subject were given by myself and other members of the
staff to local organisations.
MASS RADIOGRAPHY
During August/September the Mass Radiography Unit 5B visited Finchley by
arrangement with the North-West Regional Hospital Board and sessions were held at
five points in the Borough for the general public and industrial groups and at four sites
for industrial groups, small firms, etc., only.
The importance of the early detection of chest disease was brought to the attention
of the public by means of posters, pamphlets, the local press and by direct approach
to industrial groups and small firms and as a result, 4,991 persons were X-rayed (3,597
members of the public and 1,394 from industrial groups, etc.).
The survey brought to light 3 cases (0.6) of pulmonary tuberculosis and 5 cases
(1.0) of lung cancer. The figures in brackets show the rate per 1,000 persons X-rayed.
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