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
City of London 1905
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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125
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
Of the 1,102 samples analysed under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts in
1905, 5.6 per cent. were found to be adulterated, as compared with 5.5 per
cent. in 1904.
The figures for 1905 and the three preceding years were as follows:—
| Year | 1902. | 1903. | 1904. | 1905. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of samples taken | 1,248 | 1,179 | 1,035 | 1,102 |
| Number of samples genuine | 1,138 | 1,081 | 978 | 1,040 |
| Number of samples adulterated | 110 | 98 | 57 | 62 |
| Percentage of adulteration | 8.8 | 8.31 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
For the purpose of comparison the following Table is given showing the percentage of adulteration in England and Wales since 1877:—
| Per cent. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quinquennium | 1877-81 | 16.2 |
| ,, | 1882-86 | 13.9 |
| ,, | 1887-91 | 11.7 |
| ,, | 1892-96 | 10.6 |
| ,, | 1897-1901 | 9.0 |
| ,, | 1900-1904 | 8.5 |
These figures are abstracted from the Annual Reports of the Local
Government Board.