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
Poplar 1922
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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Quarter ended December, 1922.
| Sample. | No. | Result of Analysis, etc. | Result of Legal Proceedings, etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee Extract | 775 | Contained 55 per cent. of liquid extract foreign to coffee and Salicylic Acid at least 3 grains per pint. (Note.—A conference between the Medical Officer of Health, Public Analyst, and the Defendants was held, and an agreement reached.) | Summons withdrawn. |
| Shredded Suet | 143 | Contained 18.2 per cent. of ingredients foreign to suet, resembling moist rice starch. | Letter to vendor. |
| Margarine | 793 | Served in unstamped wrapper | Letter of caution. |
| Lemonade Powder | 592 | Crystals contained Tartaric Acid instead of Citric Acid. | Letter to vendor. |
| Cocoa | 795 | Contained at least 2 per cent. added Alkali. | Letter to vendor. |
| Butter | 92 | Contained at least 2 per cent. excess of water. (Note.—A sample was taken by the Corporation of London from the wholesaler and was reported to be genuine.) | Reported to Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health. |
| Camphorated Oil | 99a | Deficient in Camphor at least 65 per cent. and made with mineral oil. | Letter to vendor. |
| Milk | 389 | Deficient in non-fatty-solids 2.7 per cent., which deficiency would be caused by the addition of water 31.7 per cent. | The Clerk to the Guardians informed as the sample was taken in the larder at the Poplar Institution. |
Preservatives in Butter.
Of the 55 samples of butter, 24 contained percentages of boric
acid net exceeding 0.4 per cent. in any instance.
Preservatives in Margarine.
Of the 46 samples of margarine, 31 contained percentages of boric
acid not exceeding 0.41 per cent. in any instance.