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

Merton and Morden 1951

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]

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Table: Unsound Food.The undermentioned articles of food were found, upon inspection, to be unfit for human consumption; were surrendered and either destroyed or disposed of for animal feeding or salvage :—

Unsound Food.The undermentioned articles of food were found, upon inspection, to be unfit for human consumption; were surrendered and either destroyed or disposed of for animal feeding or salvage :—

Description.Amount.Cause.
Beef531 lbs.Internal decomposition.
34 lbs.Fibrous proliferation.
Mutton12 lbs.Decomposition.
Pork6 lbs.Bruised.
Lamb203 lbs.Internal Putrefaction.
Ox-Kidney4 lbs.Cloudy swelling.
Ham62 lbs.Decomposition and Bone Taint.
Rabbits120 lbs.Decomposition.
Calves Heads297 lbs.Decomposition.
Beef Sausage Meat76 lbs.Decomposition.
Pork Sausage Meat50 lbs.Decomposition.
Fish60 stoneDecomposition.
Prawns17 lbs.Decomposition.
Dates100 pkts.Mouldy.
Currants50 lbs.Maggot Infestation.
Vanilla Wafers52 lbsSourness of Cream Filling.
Marshmallow Biscuits896Contamination.
Custard Powder8 pkts.Damaged.
Chocolate Cakes142Staleness.
Ground Ginger3½ lbs.Deterioration.
Figs26 lbs.Decomposition.
Table Jellies15Decomposition.
Shelled Walnuts13 lbs.Weevil and Mould.
Cake Mixtures42 pkts.Weevil infestation.
Prunes150 lbs.Mould and insect infestation.
Cereals116 pkts.Deterioration. Weevil infestation.
Sultanas60 lbs.Contamination by Oil.
Tea13½ lbs.Mouldy.
Chocolate58 lbs.Contamination. Weevil infestation.
Biscuits28½ lbs.Mouldy and contaminated.
193 pkts.Staleness and deterioration.
Tomato Ketchup7 bottlesUnsound.
Tinned Meat, Milk, Fruit, Fish, etc.10,062 tinsBlown, punctured, decomposed, sour, unsound.