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 1912
Report on the sanitary condition and vital statistics during the year 1912 together with the report of the Chief Sanitary Inspector
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34
warning of the extensive sale of lard substitutes as lard ;
full enquiries were instituted but nothing of the kind
was discovered in the Borough.
Comparing this table with that showing samples
taken officially (Appendix E (1) ) it will be seen that
adulteration in the case of samples taken informally is
12.5 per cent, as against 18.9 per cent, for 1911, and as
against 9.6 per cent, of the samples taken officially
during 1911.
Particular of Samples examined in Laboratory at Town Hall.
| Article. | Total Samples Taken. | Genuine. | Adulterated, etc. | Poor Quality. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 9 | 2 | 7 | — |
| Lard | 8 | 8 | — | — |
| Milk | 31 | 12 | 13 | 6 |
| Self-raising Flour | 5 | 5 | — | — |
| Vinegar | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Totals | 54 | 27 | 21 | 6 |
In the cases of samples found to be adulterated
the vendors were followed up and official samples
purchased, which likewise proved to be adulterated;
upon proceedings being taken substantial penalties
followed in every case upon conviction. The tines and
costs in these cases amounted to £'35 17s. 6d.