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
Stepney 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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| Nature. | Number of Samples. | Number Genuine. | Number Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brought forward | 1,178 | 1,123 | 55 | 4.6 |
| Ground Ginger | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Infants' Food | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Toffee | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Skimmed Milk | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Whiskey | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Bice | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Tinned Fish | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Ground Almonds | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Coffee and Chicory | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 1,190 | 1,135 | 55 | 4.6 |
The number of samples found to be adulterated was 55, or 4.6 per cent. This
figure shows that there has been a very considerable improvement in the quality
of the food supply of the borough during the past year. Table B shows the number
of samples analysed, and the number found to be adulterated during the past six
years. The improvement since the war is very marked.
| Year. | Number of Samples. | Nnmber Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | 1,213 | 154 | 12.7 |
| 1916 | 1,202 | 147 | 12.2 |
| 1917 | 1,123 | 120 | 10.6 |
| 1918 | 1,124 | 123 | 10.9 |
| 1919 | 1,175 | 70 | 6.0 |
| 1920 | 1,190 | 55 | 4.6 |
Table C shows the distribution of the 1,167 samples taken by the Inspectors in the various districts, with the respective percentages of adulterated or unlabelled samples.
| Districts. | Number of Samples. | Adulterated. | Adulterated or Unlabelled. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percentage. | Number. | Percentage | ||
| Mile End | 404 | 17 | 4.2 | 29 | 7.2 |
| Whitecbapel | 300 | 20 | 6.7 | 20 | 6.7 |
| St. George's | 258 | 7 | 2.7 | 11 | 4.3 |
| Limehouse | 205 | 11 | 5.3 | 15 | 7.2 |