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

London County Council 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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Table: The total number of samples examined in 1936 amounted to 23,973. following table shows their classification:— The Examination of samples.

The total number of samples examined in 1936 amounted to 23,973. following table shows their classification:— The Examination of samples.

Air258Hospital equipment53
Air (various special examinations)20Ink35
Asphalt70Insecticides7
Building materials74Meals51
Cable (tinning test)533Metals—
Coal, coke and ash117Solder18 142
Cement and lime130Various24 I
Chemicals16Milk, condensed5
Disinfectants23„ schools and institutions160
Driers18„ (cream)6
Drugs and medical stores1,079Motor spirit53
Dust (atmospheric pollution)25Oils-
Enamel ware221Fuel11218
Fertilisers and feeding stuffs211Lighting25
Floor oils and polishes43Lubricating147
Food (suspected poisoning)7Painting17
Foods—Miscellaneous18
Baking and egg substitute powders34Oilman's sundries24
Beef extracts97Paints, stains709
Cakes, biscuits, bread4Petroleum (Petroleum Act, 1928)77
Cheese4Rainwater, etc. (atmospheric pollution)140
Cocoa14Rubber28
Flavouring essences38Sewage4,281
Fish8Sludge4,707
Fish, tinned3Soap and soap powders66
Flour8Soil8
Margarine15Sulphur determinations (air)2,153
Miscellaneous foodstuffs26Turpentine and turpentine substitute26
Mustard9Urine2,775
Preserved meats4Varnish11
Sugar and syrup9Water, boiler1,216
Vinegar4„ river3,384
—277„ drinking (from wells)191
Gas—dry cleaners40,, and deposit (in leakage )53
Gas—flue204„ various7
Greases13„ open-air baths9
Gum and paste24Miscellaneous75

Table: The following table shows the results of the analyses of paints, colours and stains:—

The following table shows the results of the analyses of paints, colours and stains:—

Satisfactory586
Not complying with the specification31
Not suitable for the Council's requirements40
Unsatisfactory52

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Observations on the effect of the London atmosphere on paint films of different
composition have been made during the last three years, and information has been
obtained which will prove valuable in assessing the suitability of paints submitted
for use in the Council's service.

Table: The following table shows the classification and the results of the analyses of oils:—

The following table shows the classification and the results of the analyses of oils:—

SatisfactoryUnsatisfactory
Fuel92
Lighting241
Lubricating8859*
Painting170
Miscellaneous180

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* Either unsatisfactory or not suitable for the Council's requirements.
Various materials and apparatus for special purposes sent to the laboratory
for examination in 1936 included:—
(1) Foods.—During the year 277 samples of the food supplied to the Council's
various institutions and hospitals were examined and, except in a few instances
where minor defects were observed, these were found to be of a satisfactory quality.