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
City of London 1909
Annual report of Medical Officer of Health for 1909
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129
DRUGS.
There was a further slight decrease in drug adulteration, the percentage
falling from 3.5 in 1908 to 2.3 in 1909.
The following Table includes particulars of drug adulteration in the City during the past nine years:—
| Samples taken. | Found genuine. | Found adulterated. | Percentage of adulteration. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 111 | 103 | 8 | 7.2 |
| 1902 | 79 | 74 | 5 | 6.3 |
| 1903 | 65 | 60 | 5 | 7.7 |
| 1904 | 52 | 48 | 4 | 7.7 |
| 1905 | 61 | 56 | 5 | 8.2 |
| 1906 | 47 | 42 | 5 | 10.6 |
| 1907 | 65 | 59 | 6 | 9.2 |
| 1908 | 57 | 55 | 2 | 3.5 |
| 1909 | 86 | 84 | 2 | 2.3 |
In the two cases where the article was reported against, saffron had been
asked for by the purchaser. In the first instance an informal sample was
taken, another sample being subsequently bought under the provisions of the
Act at the same shop. This second sample was certified to be adulterated
with 17 per cent. of barium sulphate. Proceedings were instituted, and the
vendor fined £5 and £l 3s. 6d. expenses.
The 86 drugs examined during 1909 included the following:—Oil of
eucalyptus, 8; liniment of camphor, 6; tartaric acid, 3; citric acid, 3; light
magnesia, 6; crushed linseed. 11; liniment of soap, 4; compound liquorice
powder, 4; milk of sulphur, 5; iron pill, 4; tincture of iodine, 6; Gregory's
powder, 5; ammoniated tincture of quinine, 7; saffron, 6; sal volatile, 4;
compound tincture of rhubarb, 1; and sweet spirit of nitre, 3.
All these were genuine with the exception of the two samples of saffron
referred to above.
GOLDEN SYRUP.
Two samples were examined, one of which was certified to contain 50 per
cent. of glucose syrup. The vendor was summoned and fined £l and
17s. 6d. costs.
BEESWAX.
With a view of ascertaining the character of this article as sold to the
public at oilmen's shops, 8 samples were procured, two of which were
certified as being adulterated with paraffin. Both traders were cautioned.