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
Hampstead 1904
Report for the year 1904 of the Medical Officer of Health
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The following statement shows the nature of the samples which were found on analysis to be adulterated and in each case the percentage of samples adulterated to those analysed:—
| Nature of Article. | Number adulterated. | Percentage of adulterated to total taken. |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 2 | 1.8 per cent. |
| Cod Liver Oil Emulsion | 1 | 100 |
| Coffee | 1 | 2.7 |
| Milk | 4 | 2.3 |
| 8 |
The following table gives a comparison of the work accomplished from 1901-1904.
| Year. | Samples analysed. | Number adulterated. | Percentage adulterated. | Fines and Costs. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I 1 | i r | I | £ | s. | d. |
| 1901 | 306 | 6 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 15 | 0 |
| 1902 | 315 | 15 | 4.7 | 42 | 7 | 6 |
| 1903 | 366 | 14 | 3.8 | 37 | 3 | 0 |
| 1904 | 406 | 8 | 1.9 | 35 | 8 | 6 |
It will be seen from this table that the percentage of adulteration
has materially decreased, although the number of samples taken has
increased each year.
I am satisfied that the rigid administration of the Food and Drugs
Acts, and the imposition of substantial penalties where convictions are
obtained, is the surest way to safeguard the purity of the food supply.