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
Fulham 1909
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1909
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In the 10 preceding years the samples purchased for analysis were as under:—
| Number of Samples. | Samples Adulterated. | Percentage of Adulteration. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1899 | 352 | 47 | 13.1 |
| 1900 | 363 | 21 | 5.8 |
| 1901 | 366 | 24 | 6.6 |
| 1902 | 354 | 18 | 5.1 |
| 1903 | 487 | 54 | 11.1 |
| 1904 | 673 | 115 | 17.1 |
| 1905 | 613 | l4l | 22.4 |
| 1906 | 559 | 163 | 28.1 |
| 1907 | 659 | 85 | 12.9 |
| 1908 | 997 | 162 | 16.3 |
It will be seen that there was a marked decline in the percentage
of adulteration, and it is especially satisfactory to note
the improvement in the quality of milk supplied in Fulham,
as in 1905, 18.3 per cent., in 1906, 27.0 per cent., in 1907, 10.7
per cent., and in 1908, 11.0 per cent. of the samples of milk
analysed were below the standard laid down by the Board of
Agriculture.
The vigorous action, too, of your Food Inspector has had
the effect of reducing the amount of fraud practised in the
butter business, only 8 per cent. of the samples purchased in
1909 being adulterated, compared with 20.4, 17.1, 27.0, and
18.3 per cent. in the four preceding years.