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68
In view of the large number of single cases which occurred, many of which were
no doubt simple cases of food disagreeing with the individual concerned, I did not
think it worth while to carry out bacteriological investigations, but where two or
more cases occurred it appeared desirable that the matter should be bacteriologically
investigated and the following notes on three such cases are of interest. It was not
possible to obtain any material in the other two instances to enable any bacteriological
examination to be made.
(1) This outbreak involved three cases, all occupants of one house. The
symptoms were of the usual type, vomiting, pains and diarrhoea. Silverside was
suspected but the evidence was not convincing. The patients' stools were
examined and an organism, which was subsequently identified as belonging to
the Eastbourne type of the Salmonella group, was isolated from the stools of
one of the patients, and positive agglutinations were obtained against this
organism in all the cases.
(2) This outbreak involved two cases and the suspected food was mutton
stew. Sickness and diarrhoea occurred within a few hours. Specimens of
cooked mutton and of the broth stated to have been made from the meat were
obtained. No organisms of pathogenic significance were found in the meat, but
in the broth an organism was found allied to B. Welchii and definitely toxic.
(3) A man, aged 72, and his daughter ate some chilled sirloin. Twelve
hours afterwards both were suffering from pains, vomiting and diarrhoea, but
the daughter very slightly. A specimen of stool was examined which showed
markedly large numbers of hæmolytic Bacillus Coli. The man was notified as
suffering from food poisoning but the daughter was not.
Chemical and Bacteriological Examination of Food.—In addition to the
bacteriological examination of milk already referred to, a few other samples of food,
particularly in connection with the notification of food poisoning, were submitted for
bacteriological examination. The results of the chemical examinations are found in
Table No. 45 and of the bacteriological examinations of milk after Tables Nos. 40
and 41, while those in connection with food poisoning are dealt with above.
Nutrition.—The dissemination of knowledge and instruction on matters affecting
nutrition is part of the Council's general scheme of Health Propaganda, q.v.
By-Laws.—The London County Council had not, at the end of the year,
formulated any by-laws in accordance with the powers given under the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1932.