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
City of London 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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40
Caseous Lymphadenitis.—During the year the proportion of carcases of imported
mutton examined for Caseous Lymphadenitis irrespective of the country of origin,
remained at 5 per cent., and that for pieces of mutton at 100 per cent.
The results of examination during the year of mutton and lamb, weight 43 lbs. and over, from Australia, New Zealand, South America and Iceland, were as follows:—
| Where from. | Carcases examined. | Carcases found to be diseased. | Carcases found to have Lymphatic Glands missing. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 6,564 | 9 | — |
| New Zealand | 12,221 | 10 | — |
| South America | 10,101 | 10 | — |
| Iceland | 57 | — | — |
| Totals | 28,943 | 29 | — |
Percentage condemned.
From Australia 0.13
„ New Zealand 0.08
„ South America 0.09
„ Iceland Nil.
The Ministry of Health, under date September, 1937, issued the following
Memorandum on the inspection of carcases of sheep and lambs for evidence of Caseous
Lymphadenitis
"Detailed instructions for routine inspection of carcases of sheep and lambs, and action to be
taken in the event of Caseous Lymphadenitis being found.
"The prescapular, superficial-inguinal or supra-mammary, precrural, iliac, lumbar and renal
lymph glands shall be exposed and examined by incision, and the kidneys shall be freed and examined,
but not necessarily detached from the enclosing fatty tissue.
"Viscera.—The viscera shall be condemned if they are infected in any degree or if the whole
carcase is condemned. If the viscera are free from any lesions they shall be passed unless the whole
carcase is condemned.
"Carcase (including the Head).—If on examination as indicated above, more than one lesion
is found, the whole carcase, including the head, and the viscera shall be condemned. If one lesion
only is found the carcase shall be cut into the following sections, carrying the lymphatic glands indicated:—
Section. Associated glands.
"1. Pair of legs Precural. Superficial-Inguinal or Supra-Mammary. Iliac.
"2. Shoulders (2) Prescapular.
"3. (a) Breasts.
(b) Flanks.
(c) Scrag ends.
"4. Saddle (2 Loins unsplit) Renal and Lumbar.
"These sections shall be further examined, and if no further lesion is found, all the sections,
except that in which the one lesion found at the first examination is situated, shall be passed, and the
affected section condemned. If one or more further lesions are found, whether in the same section
as that in which the first was found or in another section or sections, the whole carcase, including the
head, and the viscera shall be condemned."
Hitherto the Ministry of Health have required total condemnation of a carcase
of mutton or lamb in which any evidence of Caseous Lymphadenitis was found.
The new instructions are in the nature of a relaxation, but in my opinion the new
standard is more reasonable than the old one, and provides adequate safeguards.
Pig Carcases.—A careful examination was made of a percentage of pig carcases
arriving in the Port, the number of carcases examined being 3,280. Five carcases
were found to be diseased.
Actinobacillosis in Ox Tongues.—A percentage examination was made of
every consignment of frozen ox tongues arriving in the Port. Two hundred and
sixty-one consignments were put into dock store, where a careful examination was
made by your Officers of 9,961 tongues and 77 were found affected with
Actinobacillosis, a percentage of 0.77.
Action taken under the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations,
1925, and the Public Health (Imported Food) Amendment Regulations, 1933,
resulted in 4,776 tons 6 cwts. 3 qrs. 1 lb. of unsound food being destroyed or disposed
of for purposes other than human consumption.