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
Barnet 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnet UDC]
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(17)
The summary overleaf contains the results of some 21 samples taken by the County Council and 15 by this department.
| Article. | Number of Samples Taken. | Genuine. | Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 13 | 12 | 1 |
| Cream | 1 | 1 | |
| Margarine | - | ||
| Lard | 1 | 1 | - |
| Cider Vinegar | 1 | 1 | - |
| Pork Sausages | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| Double Cream | 1 | 1 | - |
| Golden Raising Powder | 1 | 1 | - |
| Salad Cream | 1 | 1 | - |
| Lemon Flavouring Essence | 1 | 1 | - |
| Total | 32 | 30 | |
| Milk "Appeal to Cows'" | 4 |
The sample of milk reported "not genuine" was deficient in milk fat
to the extent of 10 per cent of the normal quantity present in natural
milk. The "Appeal to Cow" samples, which were procured in relation to
this sample, were also found to be deficient in milk fat thus exonerating
the vendor from any suspicion of "skimming".
The unsatisfactory sample of pork sausages was taken informally and
showed a meat content of 50%. A follow up formal sample was t aken and this
showed a 61% meat content which was considered to "be within reasonable limits
of the desirable percentage of meat in sausages.
MEAT AND FOOD CONDMNED.
The following is a list of the articles of food condemned as unfit for
human consumption during the year.
Meat.
| Fresh Meat. | Canned Meat. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork | 120 lbs. | Ox Tongue | 18 lbs. |
| Chilled Beef | 106 lbs. | Luncheon Meat | 36 lbs. |
| Pigs Kidneys | 28 lbs. | Ham | 61 lbs. |
| Sausages and Sausage | Stewed Steak | 14 lbs. | |
| Meat | 210 lbs. | Corned Beef | 37 lbs. |
| Fish. | |||
| Haddock Fillets | 42 lbs. | Canned | 23 tins. |
| Groceries. | |||
| Fruit | 64 tins. | Soup | 4 tins. |
| Vegetables | 41 tins. | Flour | 6 lbs. |
| Preserves | 18 tins. | Dried Fruits | 28 lbs. |
| Milk | 30 tins. | ||