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

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Hanover Square 1859

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hanover Square, The Vestry of the Parish of Saint George]

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26
Ducking Pond Mews, May Fair, No. 3. Properly
drained by 6 inch pipes.
Hertford Street, May Fair, No. 2. Effluvium said to
enter the first floor window, alleged to be caused by a
ventilating cowl over the slaughter-house behind. It is
but fair to state that the slaughter-house had been incessantly
visited by the Inspector, and always found sweet
and clean. Yet to avoid even a nominal cause of offence
the cowl has been removed, and a shaft carried above the
parapet of the house.
Analysis of Milk and Bread. Dr. Aldis informed the
Sanitary Committee that he had caused an analysis of
these articles of food to be made in 1857, and the following
table shows the result:

JULY 21, 1857.

Number.Specific Gravity.Ashes.Insoluble Salt.Soluble.Chlorine.Specific Gravity of Serum.
1Workhouse (Lit. Chelsea)1.017.54.0826.41.44.431.015
2Hatt's (from the Cow) .1.0247.284.173.111.041.025
3Prett's1.030.57.344.492.88.821.023.5
4Keightley's1.0286.333.942.39.661.025
5Wise's (Elizabeth Street South)1.028.56.533.802.73.691.025
6Glover's1.028.56.904.282.62.811.026
7Workhouse (Little Chelsea), 28 July, 18571.0163.802.561.27.421.0145

From the above analysis it is evident that the milk
supplied to the workhouse (Little Chelsea) was of very inferior
quality, owing probably to the addition of nearly onehalf
water, while the other specimens may be considered as
good. The bread used at the same place was reported
upon favourably, and it contained no alum.
When we reflect upon the number of children