[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London] page 35

City of London 1936

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

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Date. 1936.	Sample.	Result of Analysis.	Action taken.
July 21	Drinking Water	Condition of sample—Slightly opaque, earthy smell. No. of micro-organisms developing on yeastrel agar (aerobically) at 68°F. (3 days) averaged 1,644 per c.c.	Letter to Shipping Company concerned.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on yeastrel agar (aerobically) at 98°F. (48 hours) averaged 1,590 per c.c.
		Bacillus Coli (typical) absent in 50 to 0.00 c.c. of sample.
		Coliform organisms. B. Seudo Coli and B. Faecalis alkaligenes isolated from water.
		Other organisms. Streptococci and B. Welchi not present.
		Remarks.— In my opinion, this water is unsatisfactory. The microbe content is high, and B. Faecalis alkaligenes is present, which may well be the cause of the Gastro-Enteritis from which passengers and crew are said to have suffered.
„ 21	Canned Asparagus	Anerobic and aerobic cultures made. No growth on any of cultures. Asparagus—sterile. In my opinion, the contents of the tin have been adequately sterilised.	None.
Sept. 7	Canned Chicken	Condition of Sample—Jelly liquified. Smells and tastes good.	None.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on gelatin (aerobically) at 68°F. averaged 125 per c.c.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on agar (aerobically) at 98° F. averaged 165 per c.c.
		Bacillus Coli (typical) absent from 50 to 0.001 per c.c. of sample.
		Coliform organisms. Not present. Streptococci and B. Welchi not present.
		Other organisms. No liquifying colonies found on gelatin plates after 3 days.
		Remarks.— From a bacteriological point of view, this canned chicken is satisfactory. The liquefaction of jelly surrounding the chicken is not consequent on the action of a bacterial agent.
Oct. 5	Canned Lobster	Condition of sample—Good.	None.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on gelatin (aerobically) at 68° F. (three days) averaged 380 per c.c.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on agar at 98" F. (48 hours) averaged 65 per c.c. Bacillus coli absent from 50 to 0.001 c.c. of sample. Coliform organisms—not present. Other organisms.—Streptococci and B. Welchi not present.
		Remarks.—This sample is of good bacteriological quality and fit for human consumption.
Nov. 18	Bundle of Hog Bristles	Agar plate cultures. Growth of gram-positivi cocci only. Negative for B. Anthrax. 2 guinea pigs were inoculated (1 pocket, 1 subcutaneous). Both guinea pigs alive and well on 23rd November, 1936. Result—Bristles are negative for anthrax.	Result forwarded to Ministry of Health.
Dec. 22	Brine from cask of gherkins.	General appearance—Cloudy brownish coloured fluid acid.	None.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on Gelatine (aerobically) at 68° F. (3 days) averaged 3,750 per c.c.
		No. of micro-organisms developing on Agar (aerobically) at 98° F. (48 hours) averaged 9,140 per c.c.
		B. Coli absent from 50 to 0.001 per c.c. of sample. Coliform organisms—not present. Other organisms—Streptococci and B. Welchi— not present.
		Remarks—The colonies are mostly yeast or B. subtilis type. There are no intestinal organisms present.