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

Islington 1934

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington]

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51 [1934

Table: Showing the result of theBacteriological Examinationsmade for theDiagnosisofDiphtheria, Enteric FeverandPulmonary Tuberculosis,1924-83, and in 1934.

Showing the result of theBacteriological Examinationsmade for theDiagnosisofDiphtheria, Enteric FeverandPulmonary Tuberculosis,1924-83, and in 1934.

Periods.Diphtheria.Enteric Fever.Pulmonary TuberculosisTotal
Positive ResultsNegative Results.Total Examined.Positive Results.Negative Results.Total Examined.Positive Results.Negative Results.Total Examined.
19241801,3331,513-17171276507772,307
19252321,0181,850212141607629222,786
19261831,5011,63439121486918392,535
19272601,5731,833321241116617722,629
19282761,4781,754432361377238602,650
19294121,8882.300215171196938123,129
19304922,2742,766118191276527793,564
19312801,6631,94328101317278582,811
19322381,7461,98459141116847952,793
19331861,8652,05151924936347272,802
Average 10 years2741,6941,968316191266888142,801
19342681,8462,11412122975226192,755

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BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF MILK.
During the year 1934 8 samples of milk in various parts of the Borough as
supplied to the consumers were tested bacteriologically. In addition to the usual
bacterial count, 4 of these were tested for bacillus abortus and also for tubercle
bacillus, and 3 were graded milks tested to see if the pasteurisation was efficient;
the other sample, an ordinary milk, was tested generally. In the case of the
pasteurised milks tested, one was in connection with a case of Enteritis reported,
and this particular pasteurised milk was found not to comply with the prescribed
conditions, that is, it was a " dirty " milk. As regards the other samples, the
bacterial counts were satisfactory, and bacillus abortus or tubercle were not found.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION IN CASES OF PUERPERAL
SEPSIS.
During the year one swab was submitted, which was examined with a negative
result.
SPECIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS.
The only examinations that were necessary during the year were those which
came to us owing to complaints regarding Cordials bottled in premises in this
Borough. The complaint came through another Borough, the purchaser and the
place of purchase were outside Islington, but we were asked to look into the conditions
at the place where the article was bottled. The bottler, who also diluted the
material with water, complained regarding the water, and there was some little
difficulty before the exact water supply was ascertained, as the particular premises
at one time did not get the supply direct from the main, but indirectly from adjoining
premises. Two samples having been procured by Mr. Haydock, Inspector of
Meat and Food, the chemical examination of the cordial as diluted and sold revealed
a mould visible to the eye. This particular mould, although it produced fermentation,
was not pathogenic. The investigation, although non-conclusive, was a
necessary one, and it was noted that during the same month a partner of the firm
responsible for the cordial, charged for selling adulterated lemon squash, was fined
£10 when summoned at the instance of the Surrey County Council.