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14
In seven incidents salmonellae were isolated from poultry
and animals examined as possible sources of infection. Five
outbreaks appear to have been due to food handlers who had
symptoms immediately before the outbreaks occurred, and
in six other incidents food handlers were found to be symptomless
excreters of salmonellae, but they might have been infected
at the same time as the cases.
The need for painstaking inquiries into the source of
infection in sporadic cases of salmonella infection is stressed.
Renewed efforts on the part of caterers and health educators
are required to inculcate the importance of personal hygiene in
food handlers, the need for protection of foods from vermin,
birds and domestic animals, and the necessity for changes in
the methods used for the preparation of food in large quantities
in restaurants and canteens.''
Fortunately the borough has not experienced during recent
years any outbreak of food poisoning.
Health Education .
For many years the staff of the department have been collecting
material of value to purposes of health education and, indeed, in
1937, the Council was able to hold a Health Exhibition for one
week in the Assembly Hall, displaying a considerable number of
models, tableaux and specimens collected and made by the staff.
The war period, however, curtailed the activities and it has only
been recently possible to re-commence the collection of specimens.
It is of interest to note that the estimated value of material
now in possession of the department is:— £
98 Preserved specimens of diseased meat and
foreign bodies in food 196
33 Magnified illustrations of bacteria and microorganisms
in petri dishes 42
47 Models, including hand-painted framed diagrams
of bacteria; models of clearance areas
and rodents 560
Exhibition stand (designed by staff members) 100
Projector for silent films; lantern slide projector;
film strip projector; films and
amplifiers 435
£1,333
Albums of photographs of various public health subjects are
now in course of preparation and additions to the preserved specimens
are being made as found, although it is to be regretted that
several members of the staff who were excellent model makers have
now left the service of the Council.