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
Battersea 1923
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1923
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Thirty-three butters in all were submitted for examination
during the quarter. All of these were informal samples, and one
was reported as being a mixture of margarine (at least 50 per
cent.) and butter.
All butter samples were tested for the presence of preservatives,
with the following results:—
Number of samples containing a boron preservative 26=78.8%
„ „ free from a boron preservative 7=21.2%
Of the 25 samples of butter reported as genuine, and which
were found to contain a boron preservative, the mean content of
boric acid was found to be 0.25 per cent., expressed in terms of
crystallised boric acid, equivalent to 17.5 grains per pound of
butter.
In no case was the percentage of boric acid found to exceed
0.5 per cent.
The 8 informal samples of margarine all contained a boron
preservative, but in no case did the amount exceed 0.5 per cent.,
expressed in terms of crystallised boric acid.
Of the 10 samples of cream of tartar examined, 3, or 30 per cent., were reported against, namely:—
| Case No. | Nature of Report. |
|---|---|
| 308 | 6 parts of arsenic per million |
| 309 | 21.5% maize starch |
| 310 | 8% bicarbonate of soda |
Of the "Other Articles" submitted, 8, or 32 per cent., were reported against, the 4 formal samples being as under:—
| Case No. | Nature of Sample. | Nature of Report. |
|---|---|---|
| 356 | Sausages | 5.6 grains Crystallised Boric Acid per lb. |
| 358 | ,, | 6.02 ,, ,, |
| 359 | Luncheon Sausage | 6.93 ,, ,, |
| 360 | Breakfast Sausage | 7.77 ,, ,, |
Of the informal "Other Articles" reported against, 1 sample
of jam sandwich, 2 of fish paste, and 1 of breakfast sausage were
found to contain a boron preservative.
In conclusion, I have to report that the total adulteration
during the quarter amounted to, for formal samples, 6.2 per cent.;
for informal samples, 6.8 per cent. ; and for all samples, 6.4 per
cent.
Fourth Quarter.—The following statement shows the nature
of the samples submitted, and the result of analysis, the details
of Drugs and "Other Articles" being given below.