View report page

The occurrence of cases of Food Poisoning is a reminder of
the need for constant care in the handling and storage of food.
The frequency of cases is an index of faulty handling or the
careless exposure of food to bacterial contamination. Particular
attention must be paid to those foods which are to be eaten
without further cooking, Processed or cooked meats are the
source of a high proportion of cases, They must be protected
by indirect handling with clean instruments, covered to prevent
contamination and kept cold to inhibit bacterial growth. Slow
cooling and the keeping of cooked foods overnight in a warm
kitchen create conditions favourable to bacterial growth. The
danger from duck's eggs, which may contain Salmonella Typhi
Murium, must be emphasised. These should only be used in the
preparation of foods which require prolonged cooking at high
temperatures. They must be boiled for fifteen minutes to give
absolute safety. This type of infection has Its origin in mice
and the elimination of mice from food stores. shops and kitchens
is essential for the prevention of food poisoning. in man the
carrier state can follow even mild infection. It is Important
that workers in food shops who suffer from mild gastro enteritis
should have tests to ensure that they are free from infection.
The washing of hands after the use of the W.C. is the simplest
and most effective measure against the infection of food by
intestinal organisms. The care of the hands includes the care
of the nails and the clean covering o f abrasions which may easily
become infected with Staphylococci from the skin or nose.
Staphylococcus is a common organism of the skin of the hands and
of the nostrils and can produce a powerful toxin in food which
causes severe gastro enteritis. Food must be protected from all
sources of contamination. This demands a high standard of
control and supervision.
Cerebro Spinal Fever. Three cases were notified during the
Autumn in 1954 The first was a visitor aged twenty years, who
took seriously 111 after arrival and recovered with treatment.
The second was a child aged 4½ years with a congenital defect
of the heart, who recovered temporarily but died subsequently
36