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
Bethnal Green 1880
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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50
The Small Pox epidemic which, I regret to say, has not yet disappeared,
has been a cause of grave anxiety and much extra work to the Officers of
the Sanitary Department. Their labours have at times been so much
increased that they have had almost more than they could manage.
In conclusion, I beg to record my grateful acknowledgments to your
Vestry, and especially to the members of the Sanitary Committee, for their
continued kindness to and confidence in me, without which the performance
of my duties would be a labour instead of a pleasure.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your most faithful servant,
GEORGE PADDOCK BATE.
To the Vestry of
St. Matthew, Bethnal Green.
From the following tabular statement it will be seen that during the year 1880 forty-one samples of articles used as food have been analysed:—
| Articles submitted for Analysis. | Result of Analysis, showing whether the sample was genuine or adulterated, and, if adulterated, what was the nature and extent of the adulteration. | OBSERVATIONS. |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Bread | Genuine | |
| 1 Butter | Ditto | |
| 5 Ditto | Of doubtful quality | Prosecution not advised. |
| 15 Milk | Genuine | |
| 7 Ditto | Of doubtful quality | Prosecution not advised. |
| 2 Ditto | Adulterated with 5 per cent. of water | |
| 1 Ditto | „ „ 33 ,, ,, | Prosecuted.—Fine £5 0 0 |
| 1 Ditto | „ „ 40 ,, „ | „500 |
| 1 Ditto | Adulterated and cream extracted | „ „ 1000 |
| 1 Ditto | Adulterated with 21 per cent, of water | „ „ 500 |
| 1 Ditto | „ „ 27 ,, ,, | „ „ 2 0 0 |
| Total—41 Samples. | ||