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
Shoreditch 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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2 Glauber's salts, 2 breakfast sausage, 2 egg substitute powder, 2 cream, 2 herrings
in tomato, 2 mincemeat, 2 ointment, 1 each of cheese, ground ginger, meat pie,
ground nutmeg, flaked rice, beef suet, flaked tapioca, peaches, corned beef, brawn,
green peas, ammoniated tincture of quinine, flour, jam, pickle, salmon, sauce, German
sausage, tomato ketchup, cake or bun powder, sardines, veal, ribs of beef, tomato,
arrowroot, and non.alcoholic ginger wine.
Of the samples of milk 26, or 4.8 per cent., were found to be below the standard
fixed by the Board of Agriculture. The proportion of milk samples returned as
adulterated during 1923 was again below the average, and was, in fact, the lowest
so far recorded in Shoreditch. Moreover, it is to be mentioned that 4 of the samples
were only below the standard to a very slight extent, and the Public Analyst noted
them as being possibly genuine. If these be deducted the percentage of adulteration
is reduced to 4.0.
In the subjoined table are shown the numbers of samples of milk taken during the four quarters of the year, with the numbers and percentages of those found not to be genuine.
| Quarter of the year. | Number of Samples. | Number not genuine. | Percentage adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 155 | 7 | 4.5 |
| 2nd | 125 | 10 | 8.0 |
| 3rd | 107 | 7 | 6.5 |
| 4th | 152 | 2 | 1.3 |
In 9 of the samples water was certified to have been added ; in 8 of these it was
less than 5 per cent., and in the other it was 5 per cent. In 12 the samples showed
deficiencies in milk fat ; in 6 of these it was less than 5 per cent., and in the other
6 it was more than 5 per cent. In 1 sample, in which the deficiency was less than
5 per cent., there was added water, but less than 5 per cent., taking the standard
of the Board of Agriculture.
Legal proceedings were instituted in 11, or 42.3 per cent., of the cases in which
samples of milk were below standard. In 5 instances the summonses were dismissed,
warranties being proved. In 5 instances the defendants were fined, and in
3 of these costs were also allowed the Council. In 1 instance the summons was
dismissed, the magistrate not being satisfied that the person who served the inspector
was a servant of the defendant. No legal proceedings were considered
advisable as regards the remainder of the samples of milk below standard. The