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 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Table A. —
| Number of Samples. | Number Genuine. | Number Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brought forward | 1,313 | 1,234 | 79 | - |
| Ammoniated Tincture of Quinine | 6 | 6 | - | - |
| Castor Oil | 6 | 6 | - | — |
| Ground Ginger | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Honey | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Pepper | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Seidlitz Powders | 5 | 3 | 2 | 40.0 |
| Lime Water | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.0 |
| Lard | 8 | 8 | — | — |
| Separated and Skimmed Milk | 4 | 4 | - | - |
| Sugar | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| Arrowroot | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Glauber Salt | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Milk Sugar | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Mustard Condiment | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Pearl Barley | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Rice | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Saffron | 3 | 3 | — | - |
| White Precipitate Ointment | 3 | 2 | 1 | 33.3 |
| Bread and Butter | 2 | — | 2 | 100.0 |
| Self-raising Flour | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Tea | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| Bread and Margarine | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Mustard | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Sterilised Milk | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 1,402 | 1,316 | 86 | 6.1 |
The number of samples found to be adultered was 86 or 6.1 per cent.
Table B shows the number of samples analysed and the number found to
be adulterated during the past seven years.
Table B.
| Year. | Number of Samples. | Number Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | 1213 | 154 | 12.7 |
| 1916 | 1202 | 147 | 12.2 |
| 1917 | 1123 | 120 | 10.6 |
| 1918 | 1124 | 123 | 10.9 |
| 1919 | 1175 | 70 | 6.0 |
| 1920 | 1190 | 55 | 4.6 |
| 1921 | 1402 | 86 | 6.1 |