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

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City of Westminster 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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116
was seized and condemned as unfit for food because of the condition
of the tins. Proceedings were taken against the vendor and a penalty
of £10 0s. 0d. was imposed.
Paregoric.—A sample of Paregoric was found to be 50 per cent. deficient
in morphine, i.e. it only contained 0.025 per cent. of morphine instead
of the 0.05 per cent. required by the British Pharmacopoeia. This was
an informal sample; a formal sample taken from the same source was found
to be genuine.
Anchovy Paste.—This sample was of foreign origin and was sold in a
collapsible metal tube. It was found to contain 3 grains of tin per pound.
The vendors were informed of the result of the analysis and the goods
were withdrawn from sale and returned to the country of origin.
Confectionery.—Thirty-two samples of confectionery, consisting of
varieties of Cream Cakes were purchased. Six of these were found to
be made up with "Cream" which contained fats other than butter fat.
Summonses were issued in two of these cases, but were withdrawn on
counsel's advice.
Carbolic Ointment.—Two samples were found to be adulterated. One
of these was an informal sample and was deficient in carbolic acid to the
extent of 79 per cent. A formal sample subsequently purchased from the
same vendor was found to be 48 per cent. deficient in carbolic acid. Proceedings
were instituted but the summons was dismissed under the
Probation of Offenders Act on payment of £2 2s. 0d. costs.
Vinegar.—Twenty-three samples of vinegar were purchased during
the year. Two of these samples were found to be adulterated in as much
as they were deficient in acetic acid to the extent of 6 per cent. and 4
per cent. respectively. The vendors were cautioned in each case.
Compound Syrup of Figs.—Two samples of this product were found to
contain salicylic acid. A sample purchased informally was found to
contain 375 parts of salicylic acid per million parts of compound. A
formal sample taken subsequently contained 82 parts per million. The
vendors were cautioned.
Grape Fruit Powder.—This sample consisted merely of sugar, slightly
coloured green and flavoured with tartaric acid. This was an informal
sample, and it was not found possible to obtain a formal sample as the
pseudo grape fruit powder had been withdrawn from sale.