London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Willesden 1930

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]

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35
Sample No. D/81, which was taken from a large multiple firm did not pass the bacterial standard
required for "Certified " Milk, having more than 30,000 bacteria per cubic centimetre.
The matter was reported to the Minister of Health.
Sample No. D/87, which was taken from a large milk depot in Willesden, did not pass the
bacterial standard required for "Grade A (Tuberculin Tested)" Milk, having more than 200,000
bacteria per cubic centimetre.
A communication was sent to the firm calling their attention to the unsatisfactory sample
and asking them to take steps to discover the causes and to remedy them if due to any default of their
own or to arrange with the producer to do so if the latter was responsible.
A reply was received stating that the firm were taking every precaution to ensure milk being
supplied in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Health.
Further samples are to be taken from this firm.
49 Samples of Milk were taken during the year for examination for the presence of tubercle
bacilli under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915.
3 samples (Nos. 0/165, 0/181 and 0/183) were found to contain tubercle bacilli and action was
taken resulting in the examination of the herds at the supplying farms.
In the case of Sample No. 0/165, 3 samples of milk, 2 from individual cows and a bulk sample
from the rest of the herd, were submitted to the bacteriologist. He certified one of the individual
samples to contain living tubercle bacilli and the cow was slaughtered. The other 2 samples were
found to be negative.
In the case of Sample No. 0/181, the animals at the producer's farm were examined. Samples
of milk (2 single and 4 mixed) were taken, covering the whole of the animals on the farm ; these
proved negative on innoculation test. Further enquiry showed that during the month preceding
the Veterinary Surgeon's visit, a cow in milk was removed from the farm to the premises of a butcher,
where it was slaughtered and passed fit for human consumption.
In the case of Sample No. 0/183, 5 cows were individually sampled. In addition, a bulk sample
was taken from the remainder of the herd. In consequence of the examination, notices restricting
the sale of milk from 3 cows were immediately served on the owner. The animal innoculation tests
revealed living tubercle bacilli in the milk of one cow. This cow was reported to the Diseases of Animals
Acts Authority, for action under the tuberculosis order.
In 44 instances the result of the examination proved negative.
In 2 instances the guinea pig innoculated with the sample of milk succumbed to an acute
infection by some organism contained in the milk other than tubercle bacilli.
Meat Inspection.—The Inspectors visit the slaughter-houses at the times set apart for
slaughtering and examine the carcases and organs for evidence of disease. Shops and stalls are
also kept under close observation.
The number of private slaughter-houses in use in the area at the dates mentioned was :—

Table No . 17.

In 1920.In December, 1925.In December, 1930.
Registered443
Licensed544
Total987

Inspection and Supervision of Other Foods.—Inspections were made of all the bakehouses
and other premises in the district where food is prepared.
The 58 bakehouses in the district were inspected on 171 occasions, Notices being served in
23 instances for minor contraventions of the Factory and Workshop Acts.
Food and Drugs Acts.—These Acts are administered by the Middlesex County Council
and I am indebted to Mr. R. Robinson, Chief Officer, Public Control Department, for the following
tabular statement, shewing the number of samples taken in Willesden and the result of prosecutions
instituted under the Acts during the year 1930:—