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
Merton and Morden 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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| Description. | Amount. | Cause. |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese | Mouldy. | |
| Biscuits | 46 pkts. | Contamination. |
| Pigs | 14 lbs. | Fermentation and Deterioration. |
| Coconut Ice | 336 lbs. | Mould growth. |
| Crabs | 6 lbs. | Decomposition. |
| Sugar | Contamination. | |
| Chocolate teacakes | 19 tins | Rancid and Mouldy. |
| Tomato Ketchup | 528 btls. | Stale. |
| Tinned food | 4,442 tins | Blown, punctured, decomposed, etc. |
Contaminated Foodstuffs. Several complaints of foreign
objects in cakes, bread, jam and other foods were received. All
were carefully investigated and, where appropriate, action was
taken—mostly by informal letter.
Meat Inspection. Practically the whole of the home killed
meat is prepared in central abattoirs, but pig clubs established
for the war period are allowed to slaughter on their premises, if
found suitable.
Several of the pig clubs in this and surrounding districts
take advantage of this arrangement and use the slaughter house
attached to the Trafalgar Pig Club at 129, High Street, Merton,
on most Sundays throughout the year.
| Cattle | Cows | Calves | Sheep | Pigs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number killed | — | — | — | 76 | |
| Number inspected | — | — | — | — | 76 |
| Number found fit for human consumption | - | - | - | - | 76 |
Organs condemned. Reason for condemnation.
1 heart Pericarditis.
1 spleen Abscess.
2 lungs Pneumonia.
1 head Tuberculosis.
3 mesenteries Tuberculosis.
1 pluck Pleurisy.
1 leg Abscess.
1 Udder Abscess.
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