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3.2.3.6 There were three general outbreaks during 1968. The first occurred at a mother
and baby home early in February, when nine children and two adults who were not
members of the staff were found to be infected. All were moved to hospital and were
clear by mid-March. The source of the outbreak appeared to have Deen a child who was
already infected when admitted to the home.
3.2.3.7 The second outbreak occurred in a hostel also in early February. About four
hours after the evening meal, two of the three residents who had eaten the meat became
ill with vomiting and stomach pains. Samples of the meat sent for examination proved to
be iniected with heat-resistant Clostridum welchii type A. The probable source of
infection was a joint of lamb which had been cooked the previous day and re-heated.
3.2.3.8 The third outbreak occurred at a medical conference. Twenty-five caseswere
identified but many others were affected to a lesser degree. Some three to four hours
after luncheon, fifteen persons were taken to hospital with vomiting, prostration and
severe dehydration and seven others telephoned the following day to report illness.
Three members of the staff had symptoms and consulted their own doctors. Staphylococcus
aureus was isolated from samples of chicken and ham which had been served for luncheon.
It would seem that the contamination took place in the kitchen after the cooking of the
chicken on the previous day. Specimens were taken from the kitchen staff but no carriers
were found. Advice was given for the improvement of the premises, equipment and
methods of food handling including the special care necessary with pre-cooked food.
Full co-operation was extended by the management.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS
3.3.1 The Public Health Laboratory Service at County Hall, S.E.I, examinee specimens
free of charge from suspected cases of infectious disease and their contacts, and
from suspected carriers. The Health Department provides a daily collection service from
several points in the borough.
3.3.2 During 1967, 1,858 specimens were examined from persons in Camden. Of
these 256 were positive for dysentery, 84 for food poisoning organisms, 12 for B.coli,
and 4 of the throat swabs showed haemolytic streptococci. The remaining 1,502 specimens
were negative.
3.3.3 During 1968, 2,516 specimens from persons in Camden were examined, of
which 274 were positive for dysentery (mainly Shigella sonnei), 63 for food poisoning
organisms, 5 for staphylococci, and 7 for coliform bacilli. One throat swab showed
haemolytic streptococci. The remaining 2,166 specimens were negative.
3.3.4 The traditional co-operation was once again experienced from the London
(County Hall) Laboratory of the Public Health Laboratory Service (Director: Dr. Joan
Davies). It is our pleasant duty to record our appreciation for generous and invariably
effective help at all times.
THE WORK OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS DURING 1967 and 1968
4.1.1 The work of the Public Health Inspector is noted for its great variety but its
emphasis is ever changing and increasing in its more positive aspects.The investigation
and follow-up of tenants' complaints of housing defects, though vitally important, no
longer represents the largest element of their work. Of the 37 Inspectors employed, only 17
are on such general district work, whilst 20 are engaged on more specific duties such
as housing, food control, or offices and shops inspections. There is a useful feed-back
from the District Inspectors to the Specialist Inspectors on many aspects, examples
being unfit houses and premises used for commercial purposes or in connection with
the food trade.
4.1.2 I know that there are inspectors who regret that the District Inspector is no
longer responsible for all matters arising in his area, but the increasing complexity of
the work and of the legislation which control this has necessarily led to a degree of
specialisation.
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