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 1912
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the City of London for the year 1912
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91
MUSTARD.
17 samples of mustard were examined, one proving to be sophisticated, the
percentage of adulteration being 24 per cent, of starch and 0.5 per cent, added turmeric.
The vendor of this sample was fined 40s. and 18s. 6d. expenses.
COCOA.
23 samples of cocoa were obtained, and all returned genuine.
DRUGS.
46 samples of drugs were purchased for analysis, and all returned genuine.
The following Table includes particulars of drug adulteration in the City during the past ten years:—
| Samples taken. | Found genuine. | Found adulterated. | Percentage of adulteration. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1910 | 40 | 40 | Nil. | Nil. |
| 1911 | 48 | 47 | 1 | 2.0 |
| 1912 | 46 | 46 | Nil. | Nil. |
OLIVE OIL.
25 samples of Olive Oil were submitted to the Public Analyst (5 of this number
being taken informally). One of the informal samples was found to be adulterated with
arachis oil. A subsequent sample being taken with the prescribed formalities, the formal
sample was found to be adulterated with 50 per cent, of arachis oil. A summons was
issued, but the defendant was acquitted by reason of his being able to prove a warranty.
The time limit having expired at the hearing of the summons, it was not found to be
possible to institute proceedings against the giver of the warranty, which was regrettable.
VINEGAR.
15 samples of Vinegar were obtained, 2 of which were diluted below Standard.
One was found to be deficient in acetic acid 37 per cent., the other 30 per cent, deficient
in acetic acid. In the first case the vendor was fined 20s. and 18s. 6d. expenses, and in
the other, the defendant said he sold the Vinegar exactly as he received it from the
sundry man and only disposed of a very small quantity. The case against him was
dismissed.