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It should he noted that owing to the numerous factors
governing the hygienic quality of ice-cream, and to the
experimental error of the laboratory test itself, the Public
Health Laboratory Service advises that it is unwise to pay
too much attention to the bacteriological results on any
given sample. Judgment should be based rather on a series
of samples. It is suggested that over a six-monthly period,
50 per cent of a vendor's samples should fall into Grade 1,
80 per cent into Grades 1 or 2, not more than 20 per cent
into Grade 3, and none into Grade 4.
Thi3 was only the second year in which this method of
examining ice-cream had been available, and it is recognised
that the test has yet to prove its complete reliability.
Nevertheless, it has already been found of considerable value
in checking up on the cleanliness of ice-cream. The Sanitary
Inspector needs laboratory support in his efforts to control
the manufacture and handling of this commodity, and it seems
that with the improvements and dependability which will come
with experience, the test will meet a long-felt want.
Efforts are being made to increase the number of samples
taken in the Borough, and in order that records may be carried
on from year to year, each retailer and manufacturer has boon
given a code number. This reference will always be used in
connection with those traders, so that their complete record
throughout the years can be easily referred to.
Each retailer from whom a sample was taken was supplied
with a copy of the laboratory report, and a Sanitary Inspector
visited the premises and gave advice where reports wore not
up to the standard expected. Where manufacture took place
outside the Borough copies of reports were also sent to the
Sanitary Inspector for the district concerned.

28.