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
Shoreditch 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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52
The samples taken included 498 of milk, 132 of butter, 13 coffee, 9 margarine,
8 lard, 9 pepper, 2 separated milk, 1 German sausage, 3 cocoa, 4 jam, 10 flour,
7 tapioca, 6 mustard, 5 citric acid, 4 sago, 4 bread, 4 cheese, 3 preserved cream,
3 camphorated oil, 3 Gregory's powder, 2 cream, 2 cod liver oil, 2 tincture of
perchloride of iron, 2 linseed, 2 peas, 2 ground rice, 2 mustard pickles, 2 tincture
of rhubarb, 2 honey, and one each of beef extract, brawn, glycerine, glycerine of
borax, castor oil, custard powder, Demerara sugar, linseed meal, liquorice powder,
arrowroot, mincemeal, sweet spirits of nitre, ham and chicken paste, ham and
tongue paste, rice, salvolatile, beef suet, rice flour, sweetmeats and tartaric acid.
Of the samples of milk 116 or 25.3 per cent. were found to be below the
standard fixed by the Board of Agriculture as compared with 22.2 in 1212, 34.2 in
1911, 25.5 in 1910, 16.8 in 1909, 17.8 in 1908, 23.2 in 1907, 27.9 in 1906, 20.5 in
1905, 23.5 in 1904, and 22.0 in 1903. The proportion of milk samples returned as
adulterated during 1913 was above the average. It is, however, to be mentioned
that 18 of the samples were only below standard to a very slight extent and
the Public Analyst noted them as being possibly genuine. If these be deducted
the percentage of adulteration is reduced to 19.6 as compared with 20.8 for 1912.
In the subjoined table are shown the numbers of samples of milk taken during the four quarters of the year with the numbers and percentages of those found not to be genuine.
| Quarter of the year. | Number of Samples. | Number not genuine. | Percentage adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 112 | 25 | 22.3 |
| 2nd | 135 | 42 | 31.1 |
| 3rd | 102 | 27 | 26.4 |
| 4th | 149 | 22 | 14.7 |
In 52 of the samples water was certified to have been added; in 11 the
amount was more and in 41 it was less than 5 per cent., taking the standard of the
Board of Agriculture. In 37 the samples showed deficiencies in milk fat; in 17
the deficiency was more, and in 20 it was less than 5 per cent. In 9 instances both
fat had been abstracted and water added. Three of the samples contained traces of
artificial colouring matter. None showed the presence of preservatives.
Legal proceedings were instituted in 26 or 22.4 per cent. of the cases in which
the samples of milk were below standard, and in 19 of these convictions were
obtained. In two instances the summonses were dismissed, warranties being proved,
and in three cases the defendants were ordered to pay 23s. costs. The summons
was withdrawn in one instance on defendant paying 42s. costs. One summons
was dismissed, the vendor having given notice to the Inspector that the milk was