London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1910
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington, Metropolitan Borough of]
This page requires JavaScript
295
[1910
The Public Health Committee decided not to prosecute, but to caution the
offender, who had been an old and respected trader of the borough. It was
stated that the large amount of boracic acid was due to the carelessness of his
servant.
The particulars as to the several samples of groceries analysed are as follows:—
| No. of Samples. | No. Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated in 1909. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee | 12 | 2 | 16.6 | 55.5 |
| Cocoa | 28 | I | 3.5 | 4.8 |
| Demerara Sugar | 7 | 3 | 43.0 | 94.7 |
| Pepper (White) | 14 | — | — | — |
| Mustard | 14 | — | — | — |
| Golden Syrup | 14 | 3 | 21'4 | 14.3 |
| Honey | 5 | — | — | — |
| Arrowroot | 7 | — | — | 28.6 |
| Sauces | 7 | 5 | 71.4 | — |
| Malt Vinegar | 14 | 9 | 65.0 | 75.° |
| Preserved French Beans | — | — | — | 50.0 |
| Dripping | 7 | — | — | — |
| Ground Ginger | 3 | — | — | 14.3 |
| Cinnamon | 7 | — | — | — |
| Condensed Milk | 1 | — | — | — |
| Sausages | 7 | 1 | 14.3 | — |
| Gooseberries | 1 | — | — | — |
| 148 | 24 | 16.2 | 28.3 |
Alcoholic Drinks.—33 samples were examined by the Public Analyst of which 5, or 5.3 per cent. were adulterated:—
| No. of Samples. | No. Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiskey (Scotch) | 12 | I | 8.3 |
| Whiskey (Irish) | 12 | — | — |
| Rum | 12 | 3 | 25.0 |
| Gin | 12 | — | — |
| Brandy | 12 | 1 | 8.3 |
| Total | 60 | 5 | 8.3 |