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 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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P.9.
20th annual report.
SUMMARY OF BOROUGH ANALYST'S QUARTERLY REPORTS
FOR THE YEAR 1943.
1,489 samples were submitted for analysis. Of these 1,437
samples consisted of food and drugs. The remaining 52 samples
were received from Borough Departments and private purchasers.
Out of 638 formal samples 33 or 5.2 per cent were adulterated
and out Of 799 informal samples 32 or 4.0 per cent were
adulterated, making a total of 1,437 samples out of which 65
or 4,5 per cent were adulterated.
Of the samples taken under the Fond and Drugs Act, 1,076
consisted of foods and of these 56 or 5.2 per cent were adulterated
(10 samples contained an allowed amount of preservative).
Of 631.drugs 9 or 2.5 per cent were adulterated.
Milk. 561 samples of milk were examined. The average composition
including .14 adulterated samples was:-
Fat 3.61 per cent and solids-not-fat 8,68 per cent.
These samples ®f milk included 6 samples from schools, 8
samples from hospitals and 3 samples from day nurseries.
ADULTERATED SAMPLES (including other offences).
| NATURE | Samples Adulterated etc. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taken | Informal | Formal | Prosecutive | Cautions | No Action | |
| Foods. | ||||||
| Baking Powder | 21 | 1 | 3 | «—• | 2 | 1 |
| Buttered rolls. | 48 | 14 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
| Vinegar | 38 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Milk. | 561 | - | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| Caraway seeas. | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Spirits. | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fruit drinks. | 26 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Fish Paste. | 14 | 1 | — | - | — | — |
| Edible Gelatine. | 6 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 3 |
| Ground Ginger. | 11 | 1 | - | — | - | — |
| Egg Sub.Powder. | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Meat Roll. | 1 | — | 11 | - | - | 1 |
| Drugs Tincture of | ||||||
| Iodine. | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| Saccharin Tabs. | 27 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Castor Oil. | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Zinc Ointment. | 18 | 1 | - • | - | - | - |
| Gregory's Powder. | 3 | 1 | 1* | - | - | - |
| Sodium Citrate. | 6 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
* Letter sent by the Medical Officer of Health,
Total fines and costs £110. 3. 0d,
In addition, fines and costs were obtained in the
case of a sample of Vermicelli analysed for the
Food Control.
Poor Quality Samples. 32 samples including 20 samples of milk were
separated as of inferior grade or doubtful quality.
Miscellaneous Samples. 52 samples were submitted for analysis. Of
these, 43 were foods of which 14 or 32.6 per cent. were unsatisfactory.
D. Henville.
Borough Analyst.