London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Stepney 1909

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]

This page requires JavaScript

51
On December 3rd. Mr. Harris Lewin, of 22, Umberston Street, was summoned
for having deposited in his bakehouse, for the purpose of preparation for sale, 95
eggs and a quantity of liquid eggs, which were unfit for human food.
He was fined 40s., with 23s. costs.
On December 3rd, Mr. Harris Grodsky, of 135, Christian Street, was summoned
for having deposited in his bakehouse, for the purpose of preparation for sale,
a quantity of liquid eggs which were unfit for human food.
He was fined £25.
On December 3rd, Mr. Lewis Greenwood, of 49, Anthony Street, was
summoned for having deposited in his bakehouse, for the purpose of preparation
for sale, one pint of liquid eggs which was unsound and unfit for food of man.
He was fined £25 or two months' imprisonment.
Sale of Horse Flesh.
Several statements have recently been made that horseflesh is openly sold as
human food in the East End as well as in some of the other poorer parts of the
Metropolis. These statements, I believe, originated in a report made towards the end
of the year 1907 by the Medical Officer of Health to the London County Council, in
which it was stated that, "there can, of course, be no doubt that much catsmeat is still
eaten by human beings in London. It is largely sold in extremely poor neighbourhoods,
and the women seen buying four pennyworth or five pennyworth are clearly
not buying for cats." It is also stated in the same report that the bulk of the
cats meat is consigned to the East End of London.
The bulk of horseflesh sold in London is brought from the country, but from
60 to 70 tons a week are produced by a firm of Knackers in London itself. With
the exception of three firms, the trade is in the hands of East End firms, who
import 75 to 80 tons a week from the country, and sell it to the various retail
catsmeat shops in London.
About 40 years ago an East End trader imported a small quantity of horseflesh
from the provinces. Previous to this time, all the horse flesh sold as cats meat
was produced in London. His business increased, with the result that others started
in the same trade in the immediate vicinity. This is probably the reason why the
East End is the chief dumping ground or the centre of distribution of catsmeat
for the whole of London.
Very little horseflesh is utilised for the feeding of cats in the provinces, hence
its despatch to London. The meat is boned and boiled before it is sent by rail.
[d 2