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 1918

Sixty-third annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington

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34
1918]
Milkshops and Dairies.—At the close of the year there were 586 milkshops
and dairies on the register, 21 having been added, and 21 removed
from it.
These premises received 805 visits from the District Sanitary Inspectors,
who served notices for the execution of various sanitary improvements and
the cleansing of dirty utensils.
THE ADULTERATION OF FOODS AND DRUGS.
During the year 1,124 samples of various foods and drugs were obtained
by Inspector Burrell and the District Inspectors and submitted by them to
the Public Analysts (Mr. Frank L. Teed, D.Sc., and Mr. E. A. Pinchin, B.Sc.)
for examination. One sample of milk was also submitted by a private
purchaser. Of these 1,017 were genuine, while 108, or 96 per cent., were
adulterated. This is 2.2 per cent. higher than the percentage of adulteration
in the preceding year, and 0'9 per cent. below the average rate during the
last 28 years.
Prosecutions.—79 summonses were issued under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts, 51 of which were successfully prosecuted. Altogether penalties
and costs to the amount of £233 7s. 0d. were obtained.

Table: The Public Analysts, in the quarterly reports during the year, reported on the genuineness of the articles examined as follows:—

The Public Analysts, in the quarterly reports during the year, reported on the genuineness of the articles examined as follows:—

Examined.Genuine.Adulterated.Per cent.
1st Quarter2682363211.9
2nd „2662382810.5
3rd „284265196.7
4th „307278299.4
The Year1,1251,017108.9.6

Table: Milk.—The qualitative results of the Analyses of the Milk samples, which have now been published for many years, are as follows:—

Milk.—The qualitative results of the Analyses of the Milk samples, which have now been published for many years, are as follows:—

No. of Samples.Solids not Fat.Fat.Total solids.
Milk purchased on Sundays1368.393.6011.99
Milk purchased on week-days3778.443.5311.97
Milk procured in transit at
Finsbury Park Station1218.613.6512.26
Official Standard—8 503.0011.50

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The particulars as to the genuineness or otherwise of the samples procured
or purchased on Sundays, Week-days, and at Finsbury Park Railway Station
are as follows:—