Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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Report of the Medical Officer of Health. 239
Canal Boats Act.
During the year 54 inspections of Canal Boats were made,
"but it was not necessary to serve any notices, as on inspection
"the condition of all the boats was found to be satisfactory.
Statement of Work done under the Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts.
During the past year 927 samples of foods and drugs were
submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis, compared with 1,030
in 1909, 1,004 i'1 1908, 989 in 1907, and 905 in 1906.
Of these 123 or 13.2 per cent. were reported to be adulterated,
compared with 9*05 per cent, in 1910, 6.89 per cent. in 1909, 876
per cent. in 1908, 8.49 per cent. in 1907, and 9.29 per cent. in 1906.
The percentage of milk samples found to be adulterated was
9.3, compared with 7.44 in 1910, 7.39 in 1909, 6.9 in 1908, and
10.97 in 1907. In 17 of the adulterated milk samples the Public
Health Committee, after considering the amount of adulteration
and the circumstances of the sale, decided not to prosecute the
vendor, so that the percentages of prosecutions was 6.33, compared
with 3.9 in 1910, 4 in 1909, 3.8 in 1908, and 5.9 in 1907.
In 77 out of the 123 cases in which adulterations were detected
proceedings were instituted against the vendor, compared with
55 in 1910, 44 in 1909, and 50 in 1908.
The total amount received in penalties under the above Acts
during the year amounted to £244 12s. od., and the costs to
£55 7s. 6d., making a total of £299 19s. 6d., compared with
£154 us. 0d. in 1910, and £92 5s. od. in 1909.
A penalty of 40s. was inflicted on one vendor for an assault
on an agent employed by the Inspector, with 12s. costs, and a
penalty of £4 was inflicted on another vendor under the Merchandise
Marks Acts for selling washing soda adulterated with Glauber's
Salt, with £2 2s. od. costs, making a total of £8 14s. od., and a
grand total of £308 13s. 6d.