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 1920

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

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1920] 56
ADULTERATION OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
One thousand two hundred and thirty-eight samples of foods and drugs
were submitted for analysis by the District Inspectors, who purchased the
samples for submission to our Analyst, Dr. F. L. Teed, and to the additional
Analyst, Mr, A. Pinchin, B.Sc. 1192 samples were reported to be genuine
and 46 adulterated, or 3.7 per cent. This percentage is the lowest hitherto
recorded, and compares with 56 per cent. in the preceding year, and is 1.9
per cent. lower than obtained then, and 6.7 per cent. below the average rate
during the preceding 30 years.

Table: The greatest amount of adulteration occurred in the second and third quarters of the year, as is seen by the statement given below, when it was 6.6 and 3.6 per cent. respectively, and contrasted with 10 and 3.5 per cent. respectively in the first and fourth quarters.

The greatest amount of adulteration occurred in the second and third quarters of the year, as is seen by the statement given below, when it was 6.6 and 3.6 per cent. respectively, and contrasted with 10 and 3.5 per cent. respectively in the first and fourth quarters.

Examined.Genuine.AdulteratedPer cent.
1st Quarter30630331.0
2nd „319298216.6
3rd „303292113.6
4th „310299113.5
The Year1,2381,192463.7

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Prosecutions.—23 summonses were issued under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts, 12 of which were successfully prosecuted. Altogether penalties
and costs to the amount of £47 9s. 6d. were obtained.
The Public Analysts, in the quarterly reports during the year, reported
on the genuineness of the articles examined as follows:—

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 Sundays1628.713.4212.13
Milk purchased on week-days3388.763.5212.28
Milk procured in transit at Finsbury Park Station1428.863.6612.52
Official Standard-8.503.0011.50

Table: 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:—

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:—

Number taken.Genuine.Adulterated.Percentage Adulterated
On Sundays16215395.6
On Week-days338320185.3
At Railway Stations (Farmers' Milks)142132107.0
642605375.7