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 1904
Forty-ninth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Borough of Islington
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237
[1904
No. of
Samples.
No.
Adulterated.
Percentage
Adulterated.
Percentage
Adulterated
in 1903.
Jam (Raspberry)
1
...
...
...
Bread
14
...
...
...
Bread and Butter, Slices of
53
10
18.9
...
Yeast
8
...
...
13.3
Dripping
13
...
...
12.5
Flour
14
...
...
...
Meat Extract
8
...
...
...
Pork Sausages ...
8
...
...
...
197
18
91
I7.2
It will be noticed that among these samples there are included 53 of slices
of bread and butter which were purchased at workmen's coffee or eating houses.
Of this number, 10 or 18.9 per cent. wore found to be bread and margarine.
On summonses being issued and convictions obtained, the magistrate inflicted
only nominal penalties. It is difficult to understand why any difference should
be made in the penalties in the case of the adulteration of butter when sold
separately and when sold with bread. Surely the workman is deserving of
protection.
SPIRITUOUS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS.
Number of
Samples.
Number
Adulterated.
Percentage
Adulterated.
Percentage
Adulterated
in 1903.
Whiskey (Scotch)
6
-.
-
25.0
„ (Irish)
6
—
—
—
Brandy
19
10
52.6
—
Rum
2
-
—
40.0
Gin
6
-
-
25.0
Port Wine
3
-
—
—
Beer
2
-
—
—
Porter
2
-
—
—
46
10
21.7
23.8