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

Surbiton 1952

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Surbiton]

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Table: (iii) 143 samples of milk were taken during the year and submitted to the following tests

(iii) 143 samples of milk were taken during the year and submitted to the following tests

Phosphatase TestMethylene Blue TestTurbidity T.B. TestBiological Test
Pasteur ised9292--
T.T.Pasteuri sed2020--
T.T.(Farm Bottled)-2--
Sterilised—-8-
Ungraded-2-6
Accredited---13

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The phosphatase test indicates that pasteurisation has bee
properly carried out; the methylene blue test is used to determine
cleanliness and keeping quality, the turbidity test is a check
on sterilisation and the T.B. test is for the purpose of detecting
tubercle bacilli.
Only five samples failed to pass the prescribed test.
( a) T.T.Fasteurised .
One sample failed the methylene blue test probably on
account of the prevailing hot weather.
(b) T.T(Farm Bottled).
One sample failed the methylene blue test. It was taken
during hot weather and part of its journey took place
in an uncovered vehicle. The matter was taken up with the
firm concerned who stated that they were replacing their.
fleet with covered vehicles and the change-over was to
be completed by the Summer of 1953.
(c) Pasteurised.
Three samples taken on the same day failed the phosphatase
test. These were the first failures ever recorded here
against the Dairy Company involved. No satisfactory
explanation of the failure was found. Subsequent samples
were satisfactory.
DYSENTERY AND FOOD POISONING.

Table: The number of specimens collected and taken to the Laboratory for bacteriological examination In the course of investigating these illnesses was as follows:-

The number of specimens collected and taken to the Laboratory for bacteriological examination In the course of investigating these illnesses was as follows:-

FaecesSuspected food
1950120213
19516942
195218315

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DUSTBINS.
Forty-four dustbins were provided as a result of notices
served, two such notices being statutory and the remainder
informal.
The Council's scheme for the sale of new dustbins was
continued, sixty-four bins being sold during the year.
28.