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
Islington 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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Unsound Food. The total weight of food condemned during the year was:— 54 tons, 5 cwt. 3 qrs. 12 lbs. 11½ ozs. details of which are given in the following table:—
| Tons | Cwts. | Otrs. | Stones | Lbs. | Ozs. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinned Goods | 13 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fish | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — |
| Fruit | 8 | 2 | - | 1 | 4 | — |
| Meat | 5 | 19 | - | 1 | 6 | 12 |
| Others | 24 | 12 | — | — | 9 | 8 |
| Total | 54 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 11½ |
The number of condemnation certificates issued was 942.
All the above food was condemned upon request by the owner.
Sampling.
1,099 samples (434 formal, 665 informal) were submitted to the Public Analyst for examination. Of these 18 (or 1.64 per cent.) were adulterated as shown in the following summary:—
| Formal | Informal | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 2 | Milk | 3 |
| Wheatflakes | 1 | Bread | 2 |
| Spaghetti | 1 | Wheatflakes | 1 |
| Spaghetti | 1 | ||
| Cherries (canned) | 1 | ||
| Sweets | 1 | ||
| Potted Meat | 1 | ||
| Chewing Gum | 4 | ||
| 4 | 14 | ||
Of the formal samples taken, two milk samples were found to contain an addition
of 2 per cent. and 1 per cent. of water, respectively, the wheatflakes were infested
with small insects and the spaghetti contained rodent (probably mouse) excreta.
Meat and Other Foods.
The owners of five private slaughterhouses renewed their licences. None,
however, was used during the year owing to the Government Scheme of centralised
slaughtering.
The Metropolitan Cattle Market, which is controlled by the Ministry of Food,
was visited on 56 occasions by the Meat and Food Inspector for the purpose of
inspecting imported and other meat.
One slaughterhouse for horses was licensed.
Slaughtermen's Licences.
21 Licences were granted,
1 new licence having been issued during the year.