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The baths waters are treated by continuous filtration and chlorination. At Hounslow Baths the
breakpoint system of chlorination was installed during the year. The advantage of this system, which is
more expensive than the usual process and requires close and skilled supervision is the stronger and more
rapid bactericidal action and this is of special importance at times of high bathing load. While baths'
staff do everything to maintain a " safe " standard of bath water the bathers could assist very materially
by the observance of strict personal hygiene.
Verminous Premises and Articles.—Action in regard to one house has to be taken under
Sections 83 and 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
Milk.—During the year 67 inspections were made at dairies and retail purveyors premises. Under
the Milk (Special Designation) Regulations 36 licences for the sale of " tuberculin tested " milk, 42 for the
sale of " pasteurised " milk and 39 for the sale of " sterilised " milk were issued.
Complaints of milk being supplied in dirty bottles or in bottles containing extraneous matter continue
to be received. Though the number is small in relation to vast issue to the public the Department continues
to bring to the notice of the trade the importance of clean methods of handling and retailing milk.
The public could also give more attention to this matter. Bottles should not be returned to the
milkman before being well rinsed in cold water. Milk remaining in bottles draws flies, provides a good
growing medium for germs and may give the bottles a bad odour. Bottles in which milk has dried are hard
to wash afterwards. Milk bottles should not be used for purposes other than to hold milk. Everyone is
aware of the misuse of milk bottles, but few consider how difficult it may be to clean these bottles properly.
Milk retailers do take care, but there is always a danger that residues following misuse may escape detection
and the bottle be refilled with milk.
The Milk (Special Designations) (Specified Areas) Order, 1951, came into operation on 1st October.
This Order defined the County of Middlesex as an area in which the use of a special designation becomes
obligatory for the purpose of all sales of milk by retail for human consumption (other than a catering sale).
The special designations permitted are " sterilised," " pasteurised " and " tuberculin tested."
Ice-Cream.—Under the Food and Drugs Act premises used for " the sale or the manufacture for the
purpose of sale, of ice-cream, or the storage of ice-cream intended for sale " must be registered. This does
not apply to premises used primarily as a club, hotel, inn or restaurant and only to a theatre, cinematograph
theatre, music hall or concert hall if the ice-cream is manufactured on the premises. The number of
premises registered at the end of the year was 177.
In recent years the cleanliness of Ice-cream has given rise to anxiety and though no bacteriological
standard has been laid down, the Ice-Cream (Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations were brought into operation
in May, 1947, with a view to improving the hygienic quality. The Regulations require all ice-cream,
except complete cold-mix powders, to be heat treated with a view to killing any pathogenic organisms which
may be present and lay down the temperatures at which mixtures are to be kept before and after heal
treatment—these temperatures are such as to discourage bacterial growth.
The Regulations also require that ice-cream shall be protected from dirt, dust or other contamination,
The enforcement of these Regulations calls for regular and persistent supervision of premises, plant and
methods of manufacture and handling.