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
Wandsworth 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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201
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Table XCII. shows the number of samples taken, the number adulterated, and the percentage of adulterated samples for the years 1899-1908.
| Year. | No. of Samples taken. | No. Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1899 | 602 | 50 | 8.3 |
| 1900 | 587 | 43 | 7.1 |
| 1901 | 600 | 69 | 11.5 |
| 1902 | 584 | 51 | 8.7 |
| 1903 | 729 | 90 | 12.3 |
| 1904 | 750 | 85 | 11.3 |
| 1905 | 583 | 65 | |
| 1906 | 905 | 84 | 9.2 |
| 1907 | 989 | 84 | 8.4 |
| 1908 | 1,004 | 88 | 8.76 |
It will be observed that the percentage of adulterations
detected during the past three years has practically remained
stationary. The system whereby the Inspector is allowed to
employ his own assistants continues to work admirably, enabling
him to change his agents from time to time as he thinks desirable,
and although there are, and must necessarily be, offenders who
remain undetected, I am convinced from the methods adopted that
the resulting percentage of adulterations, viz.:—8'76, represents
as nearly as may be the actual amount of adulteration.
Much valuable assistance and information has been given to
the Inspector during the year by the officers of adjoining
Boroughs, more especially with regard to that class of trader who
is increasing in numbers, viz. :—the peripatetic milk vendor and
butter hawker, persons who trade here, there, and everywhere with
no special trade connections, who are frequently not registered in
the Borough, and who have no permanent residence.