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
Islington 1893
Thirty-eighth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Parish of St. Mary, Islington
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qualities by the abstraction of its fat, or else it is weakened by the
addition of water. It is exceedingly to be regretted that there is not
a minimum penalty, say of 20/- on the thief for the first offence, an
increased penalty for the second offence, and imprisonment without the
option of a fine for the third transgression. Unless this be done milk
will continue to be extensively adulterated.
The results of the analyses of the 378 samples submitted to the
Public Analyst are given in the following Table.
Table LXXV.
| No. of Samples. | Description. | Genuine | Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 213 | Milk | 173 | 40 |
| 8 | Brandy | 7 | 1 |
| 6 | Whisky | 1 | |
| 8 | Rom | 2 | |
| Gin | I | ||
| 10 | Cocoa | 7 | 3 |
| 12 | Coffee | 10 | 2 |
| 5 | Green Tea. | 5 | — |
| 5 | Black Tea | 5 | — |
| Moist Sugar | 5 | — | |
| 10 | Black Pepper | 10 | — |
| 6 | White Pepper | 6 | — |
| 7 | Mustard | 6 | 1 |
| 7 | Arrowroot | 7 | — |
| 7 | Flour | 7 | _ |
| 5 | Lime Juice | 5 | . — |
| 9 | Pickles | 9 | — |
| 8 | Vinegar | 8 | — |
| 5 | Bread | 5 | — |
| 6 | Butter | 6 | — |
| 6 | Lard | 6 | — |
| 7 | Cheddar Cheese | 7 | — |
| 9 | Precipitated Sulphur | 9 | — |
| 2 | Acetic Acid | 2 | — |
| 7 | Diluted Acetic Acid | 7 | — |
| 378 | 327 | 51 |
From this Table it is seen that 51 samples (15£ per cent.) were
adulterated.
Prosecutions followed in 48 cases, and in 42 instances penalties
ranging from 5s. 0d. to £20 were inflicted.
In 6 instances the cases were dismissed.