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
Bethnal Green 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
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The adulteration in the Borough for the past ten years was as follows:—
| Year | No. of samples examined | Percentage of adulteration |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 738 | 7.7 |
| 1932 | 718 | 7.9 |
| 1931 | 749 | 7.1 |
| 1930 | 737 | 6.5 |
| 1929 | 750 | 8.0 |
| 1928 | 731 | 9.3 |
| 1927 | 728 | 9.2 |
| 1926 | 721 | 3.3 |
| 1925 | 745 | 3.9 |
| 1924 | 754 | 6.1 |
| Average | 737 | 6.9 |
The amount of adulteration, although fairly constant,
over the past few years, still remains higher than that of
other Boroughs of similar character.
The number of samples examined was at the rate of 6.9
per 1,000 of the population, as compared with 10.0 per 1,000
for the whole of London and 3.4 per 1,000 for the whole of
England and Wales in 1932.
355 samples of milk were examined during the year of
which 20 samples, or 5.6 per cent. were found to be adulterated
and 51 samples were reported as of inferior quality or doubtful
purity.
The milk adulteration for the past 10 years was as follows:
| Year | No. of milks examined | Percentage of adulteration |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 355 | 5.6 |
| 1932 | 332 | 6.4 |
| 1931 | 303 | 3.0 |
| 1930 | 296 | 6.8 |
| 1929 | 287 | 5.2 |
| 1928 | 306 | 8.2 |
| 1927 | 275 | 5.4 |
| 1926 | 340 | 2.9 |
| 1925 | 355 | 4.8 |
| 1924 | 323 | 2.8 |
| Average | 317 | 5.1 |
Condensed Milks.
Nine samples of condensed milk were examined, all of
which were satisfactory.