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 1915
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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Analysis of Supplies, 1915.
| Source of Supply. | Beef and Veal. | Ratio per cent. | Mutton and Lamb. | Ratio per cent. | Pork and Bacon. | Ratio per cent. | Poultry, &c. | Ratio per cent. | Totals. | Ratio per cent. of Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | ||||||
| United Kingdom | 64,170 | 37.6 | 28,831 | 21.0 | 22,695 | 60.8 | 13,941 | 49.3 | 129,637 | 34.7 |
| Australasia and S. Africa. | 15,360 | 9.0 | 90,750 | 66.2 | 140 | .4 | 6.667 | 23.6 | 112,917 | 30.2 |
| *North America | 9,963 | 5.8 | 79 | .05 | 3,783 | 10.1 | 2,159 | 7.6 | 15,984 | 4.3 |
| South America | 76,462 | 44.8 | 14,720 | 10.8 | 991 | 2.6 | 39 | .1 | 92,212 | 24.7 |
| Continental Countries. | 4,691 | 2.8 | 2,574 | 1.95 | 9,743 | 26.1 | 5,473 | 19.4 | 22,581 | 6.1 |
| Totals | 170,646 | 100.0 | 137,054 | 100.0 | 37,352 | 100.0 | 28,279 | 100.0 | 373,331 | 100.0 |
| * Includes Dominion of Canada. | ||||||||||
The total supply of fresh meat from all sources weighed 132,804 tons, as against
161,549 tons in 1914, a decrease of 28,745 tons. The decline is attributable to the
cessation of the usual heavy shipments from Holland. The proximity of Germany to
the Dutch frontier and her need of meat, has for the time deflected Dutch produce from
Smithfield.
It is interesting to note, despite the war and its far-reaching effects, the productions
of the United Kingdom available for London's market aggregated 129,637 tons, which
show an increase of 13,362 tons on the year 1914.
A new source of supply is being developed in South Africa; some 2,000 tons of
beef was marketed during the year, a general improvement being apparent both in
quality and handling.
Two or three consignments of beef came to hand from Brazil, some of which was
of useful quality and in fair condition, but between 16th and 24th of June, 608 hind
and fore quarters of beef were delivered to the Central Markets which were very much
out of condition, apparently due to defective refrigeration; as a result 14 tons 11 cwts.
0 qrs. 13 lbs. was seized as unfit for human food.
I understand the whole consignment, viz., 1,438 hind-quarters and 1,590 forequarters,
was destined for the London markets, but the vessel conveying the meat
namely, s.s. "Carmarthenshire," was put in at Havre, and the beef commandeered
by the French Authorities, the rejected quarters being sent on to the original consignees.
South American Beef.
Supplies from South America to the Central Markets for the year 1915 aggregated
92,212 tons, which show a decrease of 51,698 tons as compared with 1914.
The quality and condition of the meat arriving from this source to the Central
Markets, generally speaking, is satisfactory, although occasionally diseased quarters are
observed; but considering the large quantities of meat arriving, the percentage of
disease found is small, as shown by the following figures:—
Article. Disease.
26 hind-quarters of beef Tuberculosis.
5 fore-quarters of beef ,,
2 pieces of beef ,,