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

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Shoreditch 1896

Annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch for the year 1896

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the number of persons living on each floor ; for every 12 persons on each floor one
water closet is required, furnished with a suitable trapped soil pan, water supply
apparatus, and other works and arrangements, such as may be necessary to secure
efficient action; the drainage arrangements must comply with the Vestry's
requirements. Accommodation for clothes washing should be provided, sufficient for
the requirements of the people living on the premises.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
The reports of Dr. Stevenson, the public analyst for the parish (see appendix),
shew that 156 samples of food and drugs were taken by the Vestry's Inspector,
Mr. Quelch, and submitted to him for analysis. The number of samples taken yearly
during the past seven years are set forth in the following table:—

TABLE XXIV.

Year.1890.1891.1892.1893.1894.1895.1896.
Number of samples10595102119103190156

The 156 samples comprised 72 of butter, 71 of milk, 3 of olive oil, 6 of mustard,
3 of coffee, and 1 of margarine. Of the butter taken 6 samples were found to be
adulterated and proceedings were instituted, resulting in convictions being obtained
in 5 instances, in the remaining case the summons was withdrawn, as the
defendant had only taken possession of the shop the day the sample was
taken. In 12 instances samples of milk were found adulterated, and proceedings
were taken, resulting in convictions in 10 cases; the summons was withdrawn
on payment of costs in one case as the defendant had only taken over the
business the same day that the sample was taken; and in the other case because one
of the sample bottles burst, and the contents were lost. There were five samples
the analysis of which shewed that the milk contained from 2 to 5 per cent. of water
beyond the normal; it was not deemed advisable to take proceedings in these cases
Of the samples of olive oil 2, and of the mustard 1, were found to be adulterated, the
defendants were convicted in each case. A sample of coffee was found to be
adulterated with 40 per cent. of chicory, proceedings were taken. The summons
was dismissed, however, with costs against the Vestry, as it was held that the sample
had been sold as a mixture of coffee and chicory.
There was one conviction under the Margarine Act, the defendant being fined
£1 and 12s. 6d. costs for selling margarine without having it properly labelled in the
shop.
Of the samples taken 128 were genuine, and 28 adulterated. Proceedings were
taken in 23 cases, and convictions obtained in 19. Fines were inflicted amounting to
£20 8s., and costs were obtained amounting to £7 19s. 6d., which is deducting the
costs in the case where the summons taken out by the Vestry was dismissed.