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
Bethnal Green 1911
Report on the sanitary condition and vital statistics during the year 1911 together with the report of the Chief Sanitary Inspector
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APPENDIX E (5). Samples of Foods and Drugs taken informally for information:—
| Article. | Total Samples Taken. | Genuine. See below (*) | Adulterated. See below (†) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 23 | 16 | 7 |
| Margarine | 12 | 12 | — |
| German Sausage | 10 | 10 | — |
| Butter | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| Sausages | 8 | 8 | — |
| Brawn | 6 | 6 | — |
| Bacon | 5 | 5 | — |
| Lard | 4 | 4 | — |
| Vinegar | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Dripping | 3 | 3 | — |
| Salmon and Shrimp Paste | 2 | 2 | — |
| Tinned Peas | 1 | 1 | — |
| Ginger Beer | 1 | 1 | — |
| Camphorated Oil | 1 | — | 1 |
| Raspberry Jam | 1 | 1 | — |
| Cheese | 1 | 1 | — |
| Egg Powder | 1 | 1 | — |
| Mustard | 1 | 1 | — |
| Sultanas | 1 | 1 | — |
| Cocoa Essence | 1 | 1 | — |
| Coffee | 1 | — | 1 |
| Totals | 94 | 79 | 15 |
* Or preservatised to very slight extent.
†Or preservatised to such an extent as under ordinary circumstances
would warrant prosecution.
The amounts of preservatives discovered ranged
from 2 grains to 8½ grains per pound of boric acid in
bacon, sausages, and brawn; in one case traces of
benzoic acid were discovered.