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
Battersea 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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The following table gives details of the articles of which samples were procured for purpose of analysis:—
| Description of Article. | Total No. taken. | Genuine. | Adulterated. | Inferior. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrowroot | 6 | 6 | - | - |
| Butter | 68 | 63 | — | 5 |
| Cheese | 17 | 17 | - | — |
| Cocoa | 18 | 18 | — | — |
| Coffee | 28 | 23 | - | — |
| Cream | 9 | 1 | 8 | — |
| Drugs | 10 | 10 | — | — |
| Honey | 5 | 5 | — | — |
| Lard | 18 | 18 | — | — |
| Margarine | 11 | 11 | — | — |
| Milk | 717 | 678 | 39 | — |
| Milk (Evaporated) | 4 | 4 | - | - |
| Milk (Separated) | 19 | 8 | 11 | — |
| Mustard | 2 | 2 | — | - |
| Oatmeal | — | — | - | - |
| Olive Oil | 4 | 4 | - | - |
| Pepper | 10 | 10 | — | - |
| Preserved Meats, &c. | 22 | 15 | 7 | - |
| Rice | 15 | 12 | 3 | - |
| Sugar | 6 | 6 | — | - |
| Vinegar | 16 | 11 | 5 | - |
| Totals | 1,000 | 922 | 73 | 5 |
Of the samples taken the bulk, viz. 717, were of whole
milk, 19 samples were of skimmed or separated milk, and
four were of evaporated milk.
Of the 717 whole milk samples analysed, 39 or 5.4 per
cent. were certified as being adulterated.
No less than 11 or 58 per cent. of the 19-skimmed or
separated milk samples were certified to contain extraneous
water, in one case to the extent of 51.5 per cent. Another
sample, taken from the same milk vendor, showed, on
analysis, 14.1 per cent. of extraneous water. The vendor was
summoned in respect of these 2 samples, and of a previous
sample, showing, on analysis, added water. He was convicted
and fined £30.
Another vendor of separated milk, from whom two
samples were purchased by the Food and Drugs Inspector,