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
Deptford 1909
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1909
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The following table gives the result of the inquests held during the year:—
| Natural Causes | 59 |
| Accidents | 38 |
| Suffocation | 1 |
| Suicides | 12 |
| Drowning | 8 |
| Stillborn | 3 |
| Manslaughter | 1 |
| 122 |
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
The total number of samples purchased during the year and
examined by the Public Analyst was 411.
The following is a list of the articles purchased, with the result of analysis:—
| Article. | Number Genuine. | Number Adulterated. | Total. | Percentage of Adulterations. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | 93 | 6 | 99 | 6.0 |
| Butter substitute | 8 | — | 8 | — |
| Milk | 181 | 24 | 205 | 11.7 |
| „ separated | 11 | 2 | 13 | 15.3 |
| ,, skimmed | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Arrowroot | 5 | — | 5 | — |
| Cheese | 3 | — | 3 | — |
| Coffee | 7 | — | 7 | — |
| Lard | 23 | — | 23 | — |
| Margarine | 6 | — | 6 | — |
| Mustard | 17 | — | 17 | — |
| Olive Oil | 3 | — | 3 | — |
| Pepper | 13 | — | 13 | — |
| Syrup Crystal | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| ,, Golden | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Vinegar | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Glycerine | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| Castor Oil | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| Salt | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Total | 379 | 32 | 411 | = 7.7 |
Average percentage of adulteration of the past eight years=5.62.