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crystals, but on discharging in London the meat did not compare well with the usual chilled. Another
experiment now in progress, is to hasten the chilling of the deep parts of the meats while the quarters
are in the chilling rooms, by inserting into the heavy beef rounds a hollow stainless steel needle
containing a small tube through which cold brine flows, passing back between the tube and the
needle casings ; by this means the whole quarter cools at a uniform rate.
Carrying meat in a frozen state and defrosting 48 hours before delivery, has been tried with
some measure of success.
The storage of frozen meats became a necessity as cargoes increased, and in 1881 the first cold
stores were constructed, a very crude affair by modern standards, but nevertheless successful.
A vault beneath a warehouse in the Victoria Dock was fitted up, and a small cold air machine
installed, but a few years later these stores were reconstructed, and very much enlarged. During
the same period two floating hulks did duty as cold stores, being moved about the Docks as required.
Cold storage is now an intimate branch of the meat trade, and has reached a high state of efficiency.
During the year 1938, London received from all sources 691,000 tons of frozen and chilled
meats ; representing 66 per cent. of the total imports of Meats for the United Kingdom,
In the preparation of this note recourse has been had to information in the
following published works, the value of which the author desires to acknowledge:—
Gritchell, J. T., and Raymond, J.—" A History of the Frozen Meat
Trades."
Smith, Sir Frank E., K.B.E.—The Hardy Memorial Lecture, 1934.
Dunlop Young, Lt.-Col. T., O.B.E., M.R.C.V.S., D.V.S.N.—" Fifty Years'
Progress in Meat Inspection."
ALIENS ORDER, 1920.
Medical Inspection of Aliens.
During the year 24,957 Aliens (excluding Alien Seamen) and 5,420 Transmigrants
landed in the Port of London.
Medical Certificates under the Aliens Order were issued in respect of seven Aliens
as follows:—
Lunatic, Idiot, or Mentally Deficient 3
Undesirable for Medical reasons 3
Physically Incapacitated 1
Total 7
TRAINING SHIPS.
The six Training Ships now within the district of the Port of London Health
Authority are as follows :—
"Cornwall" Lying at Denton.
"Exmouth" „ Grays.
" Warspite" „ Grays.
"Worcester" „ Greenhithe.
"Stork" ,, Hammersmith.
"Triton" „ Gravesend.
The following cases of Infectious Disease occurred on these vessels during (he
year:—
"Triton" (Gravesend Sea School) 9 Scarlet Fever. 5 Diphtheria.
"Warspite" 2 Scarlet Fever. 1 German Measles.
" Stork " 1 Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
BYE-LAWS—OFFENSIVE CARGOES.
Four cases of infringement of the above-mentioned Bye-laws were reported
during the year. Written intimation was sent to the owners of the barges concerned.
The draft new Bye-laws in regard to the carriage of offensive cargoes are still
the subject of discussion with the Minister of Health.
PARROTS (Prohibition of Import) REGULATIONS, 1930.
916 parrots, &c., came under the notice of your Officers during the year. 119
Notices were issued in respect of 174 parrots, &c.
Number exported in respect of Notices served 165
Number destroyed (Notice served to export) 9
Number destroyed (Notice not served) 2
Number admitted under Ministry of Health permits 56
Bodies of birds sent for investigation to the Ministry of Health 8
Number transhipped on through Bills 676
916
In addition, two parrots were reported as having escaped from a vessel during
the voyage.