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
Hampstead 1915
Report for the year 1915 of the Medical Officer of Health
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The following table shows the articles of which samples were taken during the year:—
| Articles. | No. taken. | Adulterated. | Low Quality. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | 1 | — | — |
| Butter | 167 | 15 | 1 |
| Cheese | 5 | — | — |
| Cocoa | 8 | — | — |
| Coffee | 12 | — | — |
| Cream | 9 | 5 | — |
| Lard | 31 | — | — |
| Margarine | 19 | — | — |
| Milk | 252 | 18 | 9 |
| Sausages | 2 | 1 | — |
| Totals | 506 | 39 | 10 |
The following table shows the articles adulterated, nature of adulteration, and the results of proceedings taken:—
| No. of sample | Article. | How Adulterated. | Result of Proceedings. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Butter | 86% foreign fat | Informal sample | All these samples purchased from the same shopkeeper. | |
| 50 | Butter | 83% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 62 | Butter | 84% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 69 | Butter | 50% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 76 | Butter | 55% foreign fat | Fine £20. Also Fine £10 for sell- ing article in un- labelled wrapper | ||
| 98 | Sausages | Vendor written to | |||
| 137 | Milk | 7% deficient in butter fat | Summons dismissed. | Warranty proved | |
| 138 | Milk | 6% deficient in butter-fat | Summons dismissed. | Warranty proved | |
| 140 | Milk | 8%deficient in butter-fat | Summons dismissed. | Warranty proved | |
| 158 | Milk | Summons dismissed. | Warranty proved | ||
| 181 | Milk | 19% deficient in butter-fat | Fine £2, Costs 12/6. | ||
| 216 | Milk | 6% deficient in butter-fat | Summons dismissed. | Warranty proved | |
| 233 | Milk | 20% deficient in butter-fat | Fine £1, Costs 10/6 | ||
| 241 | Cream | Trace of boric acid | No action | ||
| 243 | Butter | 68% foreign fat | Informal sample | All these samples purchased from the same vendor. | |
| 246 | Milk | 11 % added water | Informal sample | ||
| 248 | Butter | 85% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 249 | Milk | 89% added water | Informal sample | ||
| 252 | Milk | 15% added water | Informal sample | ||
| 254 | Milk | 12% added water | Informal sample | ||
| 255 | Butter | 84% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 261 | Milk | 4% added water & 10% deficient in butter-fat | Informal sample | ||
| 262 | Milk | 12% added water | Informal sample | ||
| 264 | Butter | 84½ % foreign fat | Summons not | ||
| served. Vendor left district | |||||
| 257 | Cream | Trace of boric acid | No action | ||
| 275 | Cream | Unweighable trace of boric acid | No action | ||
| 280 | Cream | 17½ grains of boric acid per lb. | Vendor cautioned | ||
| 289 | Cream | 17½ grains of boric acid per lb. | Vendor cautioned | ||
| 292 | Butter | 85% foreign fat | Informal sample | All these samples pur chased from the same vendor. | |
| 297 | Milk | 20% deficient in butter-fat | Summons dismissed. | ||
| Warranty proved | |||||
| 308 | Butter | 58% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 309 | Butter | 60% foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 310 | Butter | 6796 foreign fat | Informal sample | ||
| 311 | Butter | 52% foreign fat | Fine £5, Costs 10/6 | ||
| 313 | Milk | 10% deficient in butter-fat | Fine 5/-, Costs 12/6 | ||
| 360 | Milk | 6% deficient in butter-fat | Fine 5/-, No Costs | ||
| 391 | Milk | 2½% added water | No Fine, Costs 12/6 | ||
| 463 | Butter | 82% foreign fat | Fine 1/-, Costs 12/6 | ||
| 502 | Milk | 6% deficient in butter-fat | Fine 10/-, Costs 10/6 | ||
One Vendor was cautioned for selling margarine in an unlabelled wrapper.