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 1908
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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The accompanying Table shows the amount of mustard adulteration in the City discovered during the past eight years.
| Year. | Samples taken. | Found genuine. | Found adulterated. | Percentage of Adulteration. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 23 | 20 | 3 | 13.0 |
| 1902 | 28 | 28 | Nil. | Nil. |
| 1903 | 15 | 15 | Nil. | Nil. |
| 1904 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 6.2 |
| 1905 | 50 | 48 | 2 | 4.0 |
| 1906 | 8 | 8 | Nil. | Nil. |
| 1907 | 14 | 14 | Nil. | Nil. |
| 1908 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 2.5 |
OLIVE OIL.
During the past eight years 72 samples of olive oil have been analysed and
three of these, or 4.4 per cent., were certified as adulterated.
Of the 12 samples examined in 1908 one was reported against as containing
no less than 50 per cent. of earth nut oil. This was purchased from a chemist
who was subsequently fined £10 and 17s. 6d. expenses.
The public should be cautioned against asking for "salad oil" if they want
olive oil, as much of the former contains cotton seed or earth nut oil.
Similar care should be taken when purchasing sardines. "Sardines in oil"
may mean "sardines in cotton seed oil," and such is generally the case. The
better class of manufacturer notifies on the tin that the fish are prepared with
olive oil.
Year.
Samples
taken.
Found
genuine.
Found
adulterated.
Percentage of
Adulterated
Samples.
1901 ... 3 ... 3 ... Nil. ... Nil.
1902 ... 12 ... 11 ... 1 ... 8.3
1903 ... 11 ... 11 ... Nil. ... Nil.
1904 ... 4 ... 4 ... Nil. ... Nil.
1905 ... 5 ... 5 ... Nil. ... Nil.
1906 ... 2 ... 2 ... Nil. ... Nil.
1907 ... 23 ... 22 ... 1 ... 4.3
1908 ... 12 ... 11 ... 1 ... 8.3
DRUGS.
The accompanying Table shows the extent of drug adulteration in the City for the last eight years:—
| Samples taken. | Found genuine. | Found adulterated. | Percentage of adulteration. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 111 | 103 | 8 | 7.2 |
| 1902 | 79 | 74 | 5 | 6.3 |
| 1903 | 65 | 60 | 5 | 7.7 |
| 1904 | 52 | 48 | 4 | 7.7 |
| 1905 | 61 | 56 | 5 | 8.2 |
| 1906 | 47 | 42 | 5 | 10.6 |
| 1907 | 65 | 59 | 6 | 9.2 |
| 1908 | 57 | 55 | 2 | 3.5 |