London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Port of London 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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Date.Sample.Analyst's Report.Action taken.
19-29.signs of disease. Conclusions: The material is free from bacteria : and it appears improbable that its condition is due to bacterial action. The destruction of the emulsion, with the deposition of fat in a crystalline form, which is what has apparently taken place, could have been caused by freezing, as is suggested, or by excessive heating during sterilisation. There is no objection, other than its unpalatable and probably indigestible character, to its use as food.
Dec. 5 Smoked SausageNo evidence of resophagostomum found in the sausage skin. (See special article on page 28.)Consignment released.
(b) Analyst—
Feb. 11OrangeNo preservatives could be detectedConsignment released.
Mar. 14„ (2)„ „99
„ 18„ (2)„ „99
„ 22„ (2)„ „99
April 10„ (2)„ „94
May 17Tinned PeasNo preservatives could be detected. No prohibited colours, metallic or organic, and no aniline dye were present. The tin on opening evolved a small amount of gas which was non-inflammable and did not contain sulphuretted hydrogen. The contents of the tin had no objectionable odour. A trace of alcohol was present.
July 9Strawberries in Water.Sulphur Dioxide 1,674 parts per million, equivalent to 0.1674 %. The determination was made on a "mash" of the water and strawberries as a whole.99
Aug. 29CreamFat derived from milk 32.3 %. No preservatives could be detected. The fat was completely separated from the cream and the casein, &c., was in a flaky condition. I do not see any reason why the cream should not be used for the purpose you mention. The above condition may have been due to the extreme cold. The tin was very faintly discoloured.99
Sept. 9Liquid EggI am of the opinion that the sample was free from preservatives, and contained only constituents normal to liquid egg.99
„ 9Vegetable FatNo preservatives could be detected99
Oct. 10Sardines in BrineOnly a small amount of tin (0.415 grains per lb.) could be detected in the sample.

TRAINING SHIPS.
The Training Ships enjoyed a remarkable freedom from infectious sickness
during the year.
On the "CornAvail" the Schick testing of new boys was continued, the
susceptibles being subsequently immunised. In this work the Wellcome Physiological
Research Laboratories again gave invaluable assistance. Dr. O'Brien sent two of his
staff to carry out the testing and reading the reactions.

The following cases of Infectious Disease were reported during the year:—

Name of Vessel.Erysipelas.Pneumonia.Chicken-pox.Total.
" Arethusa "33
" Cornwall"
" Exmouth "112
" Warspite "--
" Worcester "
" Stork "
Totals1135