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
Southall 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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Satisfactory communication has been maintained during the year with the County Public Control Department, and the report on the work carried out in Southall by the staff of that Department is as follows:—
| Article | Total Samples Procured | Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (new) | 31 | |
| Milk (various) | 59 | |
| Arrowroot | 3 | |
| Cakes | 4 | - |
| Cream | 12 | - |
| Cooked Meat | 4 | - |
| Drugs | 8 | |
| Fish and Fish Products | 5 | - |
| Fruit—Fresh and Canned | 8 | 4 |
| Ice Cream | 9 | - |
| Meat and Meat Products | 10 | - |
| Preserves | 4 | - |
| Sauce and Pickles | 3 | - |
| Vinegar | 13 | |
| Miscellaneous | 18 | 1 |
| 191 | 9 |
Milk. The new milk contained in two churns forming part of a consignment from a
dairy farmer to a milk processing depot in this area was found to be slightly deficient in milk
fat. The milk in all the remaining churns was satisfactory and as the average composition
of the whole consignment was above the presumptive minimum standard no further action
was taken.
Arrowroot. Two samples of arrowroot from the same source were found to be an
admixture of arrowroot and maize starch. A full investigation was made at the premises of
the wholesale packer to whom an official caution was sent.
Fresh Fruit. One trader was found to have Keiffer pears displayed for sale marked
" Williams." He sold Keiffer pears from this display when William pears had been requested.
Proceedings were instituted and the trader was fined a total of £4 and ordered to pay 2 guineas
costs. Another trader had displayed Pond's Seedlings plums for sale marked " Victorias,"
and served from this display when a purchaser asked for Victoria plums. This trader was
also prosecuted and the fines and costs imposed totalled £9 3s. od.
Butter. A sample of butter purchased from a retail shop was found to be rancid.
Enquiries showed that the retailer had received this butter from his wholesale supplier some
time earlier and it appeared likely that the butter had become rancid whilst in the retailer's
possession. This matter was dealt with by an official caution being sent.
Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1953. The majority of the inspection work carried out
under the provisions of the above Acts relates to ensuring that the requirements of the various
Marking Orders made under the provisions of the Act of 1926, and which relate to the
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