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 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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The samples taken included 480 of milk, 3 of dried full cream milk (informal),
2 of full cream sweetened condensed milk, 2 of skimmed milk, ] full cream unsweetened
condensed milk, 1 sweetened condcnscd skimmed milk, ]00 vinegar,
94 butter, 56 margarine, 49 pepper, 39 cocoa, 26 tea, ]8 mustard, 14 coffee, 11 baking
powder, 11 olive oil, 10 self-raising flour, 9 lard, 8 sausage, 8 malt vinegar, 7 tapioca,
6 honey, 6 rice, 6 custard powder, 5 ammoniated tincture of quinine, 5 ground ginger,
5 sugar (1 informal), 5 dripping, 4 non-alcoholic wines, 4 boric acid ointment, 4 borax,
4 sago, 4 zinc ointment, 4 camphorated oil, 4 jam, 3 arrowroot, 3 castor oil, 3 glycerine,
3 shredded suet, 3 sulphur ointment, 3 ground almonds, 3 jelly, 2 extract of malt with
codliver oil (informal), 2 ground cinnamon, 2 mixed spice, 1 each of boracic acid,
cheese, cinnamon, ground rice, phenol ointment, seed tapioca, cloves, lemonade
powder and ground nutmeg.
Of the samples of milk 17 or 35 per cent. were found to be below the standard
fixed by the Board of Agriculture. The proportion of milk samples returned as
adulterated during 1924 was again greatly below the average, being the lowest so
far recorded in Shoreditch.
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 | 100 | 5 | 5.0 |
| 2nd | 146 | 8 | 5.5 |
| 3rd | 95 | 3 | 3.2 |
| 4th | 139 | 1 | 0.7 |
In five of the samples water was certified to have been added ; in four of these
it was less, and in the other it was more than 5 per cent. In nine the samples showed
deficiencies in milk-fat; in one of these it was less and in the other eight it was more
than 5 per cent. taking the standard of the Board of Agriculture. In three samples
traces of colouring matter were present.
Legal proceedings were instituted in 13 or 76 5 per cent. of the cases in which
samples of milk were below standard. In two instances the summonses were dismissed
warranties being proved. In four instances the defendants were fined, and in three
of these costs were also allowed the Council. In three instances costs only were
allowed the Council. In one instance the case was dismissed, the defendant proving
to the satisfaction of the Magistrate that the milk was sold as received from the cow.