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
Wanstead and Woodford 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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and should in all cases be carried out before sterilisation. When drawing
the traders' attention to unsatisfactory samples one is given yet another
P°rtunity to impress upon them the need for a thorough sterilising routine.
The 110 samples referred to above are grouped as follows:—
79 in Grade I; 20 in Grade II; 7 in Grade III; 4 in Grade IV.
The approximate percentage in each Grade of the 110 samples is as
follows:—
Grade I, 71.8 per cent.; Grade II, 18.2 per cent.; Grade III, 6.4 per cent.;
Grade IV, 3.6 per cent.
A comparison is given below covering results of the last four years:—
| 1952% | 1951% | 1950% | 1949% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade I | 71.8 | 66.0 | 46.3 | 52.9 |
| Grade II | 18.2 | 22.4 | 28.7 | 21.8 |
| Grade III | 6.4 | 8.9 | 16.7 | 20.1 |
| Grade IV | 3.6 | 2.7 | 8.3 | 5.2 |
When reviewing the results of the samples taken during the year one
is apt to be curious to know whether or not the wrapped ice-cream is in a
bettre condition when passed to the public than that sold from a bulk
supply. The comparisons for 1952 are given below, and the figures are
on samples relating to 43 obtained from bulk supplies and 67
wrapped;—
The comparisons for 1952 are given below, and the figures are on samples relating to 43 obtained from bulk supplies and 67 wrapped;—
| Bulk Supply | Wrapped Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| 43 Samples | 67 Samples | |
| Grade I | 65.1% | 76.1% |
| Grade II | 18.6% | 17.9% |
| Grade III | 14.0% | 1.5% |
| Grade IV | 2.3% | 4.5% |
It seems clear from the above that the better article from a bacteriological
standpoint is the wrapped ice, although there has been improvement
in the bulk supplies.
The Grades referred to are those suggested in the Ministry of Health's
Provisional Grades.
In addition to the samples referred to above, six samples were taken
of Ice Lollies, all of which proved to be satisfactory.
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