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
Richmond upon Thames 1902
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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54
Sale of Food and
Drugs Act.
The enforcement of this Act in the Borough has
been carried out by the Inspector, acting under the
County Council. Mr. R. A. Houghton, the County
The enforcement of this Act in the Borough has been carried out by the Inspector, acting under the County Council. Mr. R. A. Houghton, the County nspector, reports as follows :—
| Articles Purchased. | Number of samples. | Genuine | Slightly adulterated or deteriorated. | Cases in which proceedings were taken. | Convictions obtained | Total Fines. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 46 | 36 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 14s. | 6d. | |
| Butter | 16 | 16 | ||||||
| Cheese | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Coffee | 1 | |||||||
| Lard | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Jam | 1 | |||||||
| Margarine | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Spirits | 5 | |||||||
| Sweets | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Lucca Oil | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Pepper | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Vinegar | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | £2 | 16s. | 6d. | |
| Cordials | 4 | |||||||
| Pickles | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Camphorated Oil | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ketchup | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Totals | 83 | 72 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 11s. | 0d. | |
In 1901 a sample of " milk," sold in glasses at Kew Green, was
found to consist of " Condensed Separated Milk " mixed with water
from the Thames, the vendor of which disappeared soon afterwards,
and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. This was executed in June
last, upon the return of the defendant to the Borough, and a conviction
obtained ; the defendant being fined £12 7s. 6d. including costs,
or in default, imprisonment with hard labour for two calendar months.
The quality of the milk sold in 1902 has been found good, but
I regret to report that the use of " preservatives" has largely
increased.