View report page

110
The first organism was found to be an aberrant form of bacillus coli, whilst
the second is a delayed lactose fermenting type of coliform bacillus.
Opinion.—It is possible that the presence of these aberrant strains of
coliform bacilli were capable of acting as pathogenic agents."
(c) In a family consisting of six persons, two persons, one of whom was admitted
to hospital as an emergency, became ill. In hospital a diagnosis of food poisoning
was made, and later the second case was notified by the practitioner in attendance.
In both instances the notification was three days after the onset. It was not
possible to get an accurate history of the onset, and no food specimens were available,
but stool and blood specimens were submitted for examination. Ultimately the
bacteriologist reported the identification of organisms as follows:—
Mother—Bacillus Gaertner "0" form.
Daughter—Bacillus Aertrycke.
A double infection is curious, but there is at least one similar instance on
record, and in that case the double infection was proved to be due to contamination
by rats or mice.
(d) In March, in a hostel, sixteen cases of food poisoning were notified within
two days. There were fourteen other cases not notified. The suspected food was
lamb, but it was not possible to get any specimens for bacteriological examination.
Four stool and serum specimens, however, were examined. In three patients a
haemolytic coliform bacillus was found. Agglutination occurred to a slight degree.
This is evidence that these organisms are of a toxic character, and that they were
the causal agents of the outbreak.
Chemical and Bacteriological Examination of Food.—The laboratories
at which work is carried out, and the nature of the work done is reported on fully
in that Section of the report which deals generally with the provision of health
services in the Borough.
Nutrition.—Dissemination of knowledge and instruction on matters affecting
nutrition is part of the Council's general scheme of health propaganda, q.v.
As part of the Council's scheme for Health Propaganda, cookery demonstration
classes are held at the Tuberculosis Dispensary for the instruction of the wives
and mothers of the tuberculous in the buying and cooking of simple, cheap and
nutritious articles of food and the preparation of suitable dishes. These classes
were well attended during 1935. The scheme is more fully reported on in the
Health Propaganda Section.
By-Laws.—The County Council have prepared draft by-laws in regard to food
premises in accordance with their powers under Section 6 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1932. These have been submitted to the Metropolitan
Borough Councils for their observations, but have not yet been adopted.