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
Holborn 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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| Article. | Number of Samples purchased |
|---|---|
| Peanut Butter | 1 |
| Pickles | 8 |
| Porridge Meal | 2 |
| Puddings and Pudding Mixtures | 9 |
| Rice | 2 |
| Saccharine | 2 |
| Salad Dressing | 4 |
| Sandwich Spread | 6 |
| Sauces | 10 |
| Semolina | 2 |
| Soft Drinks, Squashes and Cordials | 13 |
| Soups | 3 |
| Spaghetti | 2 |
| Suet | 2 |
| Spices and Herbs | 8 |
| Sugar, granulated and icing | 2 |
| Sweets | 4 |
| Sweet Corn | 1 |
| Tea | 3 |
| Vegetables (dried) | 5 |
| Vegetables (tinned) | 15 |
| Vinegar | 7 |
| Wines and Spirits | 4 |
| Yoghourt | 1 |
Three samples were found to he adulterated: —
1. Tincture of Iodine.
Deficient in potassium iodide to the extent of 33 per cent. A letter of caution was
sent to the vendor, and the Pharmaceutical Society was informed of the facts of the case
2. Molasses.
Contained lead to the extent of 25 parts per million. This was a damaged tin of
" refined " black molasses which was surrendered to the Sampling Officer and submitted
for analysis. No further tins of the product were available.
3. Milk.
Contained at least 11.7 per cent. added water. Legal proceedings were instituted
and the defendants were fined £1 and £2. 2s. od. costs.
Vitamin Content.
Four of the 600 samples submitted for chemical analysis were also examined for
vitamin content—rosehip syrup. froment, blackcurrant puree, and porridge meal. In each
case the result was satisfactory.