London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hammersmith 1922

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health of the Borough of Hammersmith for the year 1922

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TABLE IV.

Samples received.Fat.Non-fatty Solids.Water.
Quarter ending March 31st3.75%9.09%87.16%
„ „ June 30th3.40%8.88%87.72%
„ „ September 30th3.61%8.98%87.41%
„ „ December 31st3.94%8.96%87.10%
Average for the year3.67%8.98%87.35%

Two milks submitted during the year were found to be
artificially coloured with annatto and were reported as adulterated
as the colouring of milk is now an offence under the Acts.
A sample of dried milk, five of separated milk, eighteen
of condensed milk, one of tinned milk and one of tinned skim
milk were also analysed and were found to be genuine, with
the exception of one condensed milk which was reported as
adulterated on account of its contamination with tin from the
container. The quantity of tin found was equivalent to 1.1
grains per pound.
Butter, Margarine, etc. —Fifty-two samples of butter, five
of margarine, ten of lard and one of dripping were analysed
and all of these were found to be genuine, with the exception of
a sample sold as butter and which was found to consist entirely
of margarine.
Cocoa, Coffee and Coffee Mixtures. —Eighteen specimens of
cocoa, seventeen of coffee, and one of coffee and chicory were
examined and were found to be genuine, with the exception of
two of the cocoas, each of which contained l/70th of a grain of
arsenic—as arsenious oxide —per pound. The presence of this
unusual foreign ingredient was apparently due to the employment
of impure potash in the alkali treatment of the cocoa
during its manufacture.