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 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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140
EXAMINATION OF MILK SUPPLIED TO L.C.C. HOSPITALS
During 1937 thirty-three samples of milk were taken in course of delivery to
St. Leonard's Hospital and 17 to St Matthew's Hospital. All except one of the samples
complied with the standard laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture. The remaining
sample contained not less than 1.0 per cent. of added water.
MILK SAMPLES TESTED IN THE DEPARTMENT
During 1937, 179 samples of milk were tested in the department by the Gerber
process with the following results:—
Table No. 120
| Genuine. | Deficient in fat only. | Deficient in solids other than fat. | Deficient in fat and non-fatty solids. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 169 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
The average composition of these samples was:—
Fat, 3.3% Solids not fat, 8.9% Total solids, 12.2%
THE FOOD AND DRUGS (ADULTERATION) ACT, 1928
During the year 700 samples were submitted to the Public Analyst, Mr. H. A.
Williams, A.C.G.F.C., F.I.C. This figure gives a rate of 8-5 per 1,000 inhabitants.
The results of the year's work are summarized in the following table:—
Table No. 121
| Quarter of 1937. | Number of samples taken. | Number of samples adulterated. | Percentage adulterated. | Number of prosecutions instituted. | Prosecutions withdrawn because of warranties, etc. | Prosecutions proceeded with | Number of successful prosecutions. | Fines and costs. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | s. | d. | ||||||||
| 1st | 160 | 24 | 15.00 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 0 |
| 2nd | 194 | 11 | 5.67 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 3rd | 140 | 25 | 17.86 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 4th | 206 | 17 | 8.25 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | 9 | 17 | 0 |
| Totals for year | 700 | 77 | 11.00 | 11 | — | 11 | 11 | 32 | 17 | 0 |
The samples taken during 1937 included:—
358 milk (5 informal); 5 cream; 13 beer; 13 butter (4 informal); 4 vinegar;
10 bread and butter (8 informal); 4 liquorice powder (2 informal); 3 margarine
(1 informal); 4 whisky; 1 cod liver oil; 6 gin.