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
Hampstead 1924
Report for the year 1924 of the Medical Officer of Health
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62
Analysis of Spirits.
Early in the year, samples were taken at all the fully-licensed
public-houses in the Borough, in order to ascertain what standard of
spirits was being sold to the public.
The analysis revealed that of the 46 samples, purchased at 46
premises, no less than 17 were found to be below the legal standard,
i.e., 35 under proof.
Summonses were, therefore, applied for in respect of: — Sample No.
| 8—Whiskey, | found to be 44 under proof. | 4½ per cent. of added water. |
| 9 —Rum | ,, 45 ,, | 4 9/10 ,, ,, |
| 14—Rum | „ 38 „ | 1 65/100 ,, ,, |
| 19—Gin | ,, 44 ,, | 4½ ,, ,, |
| 20—Whiskey | ,, 46½ ,, | 5 2/3 ,, ,, |
| 27—Rum | ,, 41½ | 3¼ ,, ,, |
| 28—Whiskey | ,, 38.8 ,, | 1 9/10 ,, ,, |
| 31—Do. | ,, 39½ ,, | 2 1/3 ,, ,, |
| 45—Do. | ,, 44.7 ,, | 4¾ ,, ,, |
| 46—Rum | ,, 40.3 ,, | 2½ ,, ,, |
| 53—Whiskey | ,, 40 ,, | 2½ ,, ,, |
| 54—Rum | ,, 40 ,, | 2½ ,, ,, |
| 60—Whiskey | ,, 41 ,, | 3 ,, ,, |
| 62—Rum | ,, 41 ,, | 3 ,, ,, |
| 66—Whiskey | ,, 38½ ,, | 1¾ ,, ,, |
| 67—Do. | ,, 38½ ,, | 1¾ ,, ,, |
(The above samples should have contained 30.8 per cent. of alcohol—
35 under proof.)
In the case of Sample No. 58, whiskey 40 under proof, 2½ per
cent. of added water, the vendor was not prosecuted, in view of the
fact that there was a notice on the receptacle stating that the whiskey
was not below 43 under proof.
The summonses against the vendors of Samples Nos. 27 and 28
were heard by the Justices at the Hampstead Police Court on 5th
March, 1924.
In the case of Sample No. 27, the strength of the rum was not
disputed by the defence, who relied on a notice which the prosecution