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

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Poplar 1911

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]

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The results of the analyses of 377 samples were reported to the Committee during the year 1911, the samples being as follows :—

Sample.1st Quarter.2nd Quarter.3rd Quarter.4th Quarter.Total.
Milk51425048191*
Butter26282822104
Margarine261514
Lard556824
Cocoa23139
Coffee33..39
Mustard1....12
Pepper1......1
Golden Syrup..i1....1
Arrowroot11..24
Rice1......7
Vinegar......11
Malt Vinegar1......1
Camphorated Oil2.......2
Saffron..1....1
Olive Oil..l....1
Tartaric Acid....1..1
Cod Liver Oil....1..1
Beeswax......22
Syrup of Phosphate of Iron with Strychnine and Quinine.....1..1
Totals102918995377

Of the 191 samples of milk, 39 samples were procured on Sundays
from itinerant vendors and 39 from itinerant vendors on weekdays.
Twenty-three samples were taken on delivery at institutions within the
Borough, viz., 6 Poplar Union Workhouse, 6 Sick Asylum, 5 Blackwall
Sick Asylum and 6 Stepney Union Workhouse. All the samples were
genuine with the exception of one procured on delivery at the Poplar and
Stepney Sick Asylum (see legal proceedings, page 167).

Results of Analyses.

Of these 377 samples legal proceedings were instituted in 12 cases
Milk11
Butter1
12

The Public Analyst reported that during the year he had analysed
377 samples ; 11 or 2.9 per cent, were found to be adulterated.
This result compares with 3.2 per cent, for 1910, showing a satisfactory
decrease. The Public Analyst in his report states :—"which was
the lowest recorded in the Borough since the work has been in my
hands."