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 1914
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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87
REPORT OF THE SENIOR INSPECTOR*
I beg to submit herewith the Annual Report of the work of this department for
the year 1914.
During the year 1914, 425,104 tons of meat, &c., were deposited for sale in the
Central Markets, Smithfield, being a decrease of 7,007 tons as compared with the total
for 1913.
Thanks are due to the Superintendent of the Central Markets for the following
table:—
Comparison—Supplies 1914 and 1913.
| Source of Supply or Classification. | 1914. | 1913. | Difference. | Ratio per cent. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | |||
| United Kingdom | 116,275 | 99,148 | 17,127 | increase | + 17.3 |
| Australasian "Frozen" | 97,738 | 103,463 | 5,725 | decrease | — 5.5 |
| *North American " English Killed " | — | 4,541 | 4,541 | ” | -100.0 |
| *North American "Frozen" | 1,118 | 2,111 | 993 | ” | -47.0 |
| South American " English Killed " | — | — | — | — | |
| South American " Chilled " and " Frozen " | 143,910 | 172,863 | 28,953 | decrease | - 16-7 |
| Continental Countries | 66,063 | 49,985 | 16,078 | increase | + 32-2 |
| Total Meat, Poultry and Provisions | 425,104 | 432,111 | 7,007 | decrease | - 1-6 |
Analysis of Supplies, 1914.
| Source of Supply. | Beef and Veal. | Ratio per cent. | Mutton and Lamb. | Ratio per cent. | Pork and Bacon. | Ratio per cent. | Poultry, Game, Rabbits, & c. | Ratio per cent. | Totals. | Ratio per cent, of Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Tons. 69,366 | 32.8 | Tons. 26,673 | 19.3 | Tons. 7,637 | 15.9 | Tons. 12,599 | 46.5 | Tons. 116,275 | 27.3 |
| Australasia | 10,096 | 4.8 | 82,033 | 59.2 | 14 | 03 | 5,595 | 20.7 | 97,738 | 23.0 |
| North America | 183 | .1 | 19 | .01 | 204 | .4 | 712 | 2.6 | 1,118 | .3 |
| South America | 123,228 | 58.3 | 20,640 | 14.9 | 32 | .07 | 10 | .03 | 143,910 | 33.9 |
| Continent | 8,447 | 4.0 | 9,149 | 6.6 | 40,277 | 83.6 | 8,190 | 30.2 | 66,063 | 15.5 |
| Totals | 211,320 | 100.0 | 138,514 | 100.0 | 48,164 | 100.0 | 27,106 | 100.0 | 425.104 | 100.0 |
* Includes the Dominion of Canada and the United States of America.
As stated in last year's Report, the United States of America is still a serious
competitor with this country for Argentine meat.
This will be readily understood when it is stated that the United States received
from South America 48,741 tons of meat in excess of that received in 1913.
Presumably this is due to the decline in the Cattle-raising industry. Efforts are
being made to cope with same, but as the effect of this cannot be felt for some years,
and having regard to the rajiidly increasing population, it appears probable that the
Cnited States will continue to be more dependent on imported supplies than hitherto.
* This Report has been prepared by Mr. Sharp, Senior Inspector. It is usually undertaken by Mr. Young, Veterinary
Surgeon, who was mobilised on August 3rd, and has not since been able to return to his civilian duties.