Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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36
Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875-1899. The
Watch Committee on several occasions had under consideration the
administration of these Acts within the Borough by the Surrey
County Council; and deciding to supplement the work, recommended
the Town Council in June "to direct the Inspector of Nuisances, at
the cost of the Council, to procure and submit for analysis samples of
food and drugs."
Arrangements were made for the examination of preliminary or
test samples by Mr. J. H. Johnston, M.Sc., of 6, Leopold Road,
Wimbledon. The samples taken in accordance with the provisions
of the Acts were submitted to Sir Thomas Stevenson, M.D., the
public Analyst.
The following returns show the number of samples taken, the result of analyses, legal proceedings and fines imposed.
ARTICLE. | Test Samples. | Official Samples. | Prosecutions Instituted. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Genuine | Adulterated. | No. | Genuine | Adulterated | ||
Milk | 58 | 46 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
Butter | 19 | 18 | 1 | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Flour | 8 | 8 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Bread | 8 | 8 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Pepper | 6 | 6 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Jam | 3 | 3 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Brawn | 2 | ... | 2 | 1 | ... | 1 | ... |
Pork sausage | 2 | ... | 2 | 1 | ... | l | 1 |
German Sausage | 2 | ... | 2 | 1 | ... | l | ... |
Corned Beef | 1 | 1 | ... | 1 | ... | ... | ... |
Coffee | 11 | 101 | 1 | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Total | 120 | 100 | 20 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
* Three labelled "sold as mixture of Coffee and Chicory."
One sample of Milk adulterated with 2% of added water. A
summons was not issued, a warning to the Vendor being deemed
sufficient.