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 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Table A—
| Nature. | Number of Samples. | Number Genuine. | Number Adulterated | Percentage Adulterated | Preservative Found |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Bicarbonate | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| Spirits | 13 | 12 | 1 | 7.7 | - |
| Sugar | 3 | 3 | - | — | None |
| Sweets | 7 | 7 | - | — | 1 |
| Sweet Spirit of Nitre | 5 | 2 | 3 | 60.0 | — |
| Tea | 6 | 6 | — | — | — |
| Vinegar | 11 | 9 | 2 | 18.2 | None |
| Zinc Ointment | 3 | 3 | - | - | - |
| 1,614 | 1,540 | 74 | 4.6 | 33 |
Details of samples shown in the above table to contain preservative are
given under the respective headings in those cases where an offence had been
committed.
Table B.
| Year. | Samples taken under the Act. | Number Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. | Bact. Examinations | Miscellaneous Samples | Total Samples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 1,378 | 44 | 3.2 | - | 36 | 1,414 |
| 1926 | 1,341 | 37 | 2.8 | — | 41 | 1,382 |
| 1927 | 1,292 | 42 | 3.3 | — | 55 | 1,347 |
| 1928 | 1,528 | 68 | 4.5 | — | 29 | 1,557 |
| 1929 | 1,537 | 63 | 4.1 | — | 72 | 1,609 |
| 1930 | 1,518 | 35 | 2.3 | 1 | 83 | 1,602 |
| 1931 | 1,488 | 43 | 2.9 | 46 | 173 | 1,707 |
| 1932 | 1,546 | 48 | 3.1 | 38 | 185 | 1,769 |
| 1933 | 1,513 | 37 | 2.4 | 20 | 112 | 1,645 |
| 1934 | 1,614 | 74 | 4.6 | — | 111 | 1,725 |
It will be seen that there has been a considerable increase in the percentage
of adulteration.
Offences were committed in 100 cases. These were dealt with as shown below:—
| Adulterated. | Other offences. | Total. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Proceedings | 37 | 8 | 45 |
| Caution | 26 | 3 | 29 | |
| No action | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Informal | 8 | 10 | 18 | |
| 74 | 21 | 95 | ||
Legal
Proceedings