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
Stepney 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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66
PUBLIC ANALYST'S REPORT.
During the year 1,414 samples were submitted for analysis. Of these
1,398 were purchased by Inspectors under the Food and Drugs Acts, 14
samples were analysed for the Public Health Department, 1 sample was
Submitted by the Borough Engineer, and 1 sample was examined for a
private purchaser,
The 1,398 samples taken under the Food and Drugs Acts consisted of
913 formal samples and 485 informal samples.
Table A shows the nature of the samples taken under the Food and
Drugs Acts and gives the numbers and percentages of adulteration.
Table A.
| Number of Samples. | Number Genuine. | Number Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 837 | 824 | 13 | 1.5 |
| Sterilized Milk | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Skimmed Milk | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Margarine | 180 | 180 | — | — |
| Butter | 141 | 137 | 4 | 2.8 |
| Cream & Preserved Cream | 22 | 18 | 4 | 1.8 |
| Coffee | 24 | — | — | — |
| Coffee and Chicory | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Sausages | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Pepper | 7 | 6 | 1 | 14.2 |
| Cake Flour | 7 | 6 | 1 | 14.2 |
| Sponge Cakes | 13 | 13 | — | — |
| Baking Powder | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Ground Almonds | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Arrowroot | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Lard | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Rice | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Self Raising Flour | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Cream of Tartar | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Vinegar | 8 | 8 | — | — |
| Mustard | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Tinned Tomatoes | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Whisky | 5 | 4 | 1 | 20.0 |
| Prescriptions | 14 | 14 | — | — |