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
City of London 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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| Date. | Sample. | Analyst's Report. | Action taken. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981. | |||
| May 19 | Tinned Mushrooms | Free from preservatives. Tin to the extent of 0.56 grains per pound. | Consignment released. |
| „ 28 | Cheese | Free from preservatives. Tin to the extent of 0.72 grains per pound. | |
| „ 28 | Caviar | Free from the presence of preservatives and other deleterious ingredients. | " |
| „ 28 | Yeast | Free from the presence of Arsenic | |
| June 3 | Yeast (2) | These samples, on examination, gave the following results: | |
| (bb) Arsenic, nil | |||
| „ 3 | Strawberries in water. | This sample, on examination, was found to contain 1,790 parts of Sulphur Dioxide per million. The amount allowed by the Preservatives Regulations is 2,000 parts per million. | |
| „ 5 | Tinned Spinach (2) | Free from the presence of colouring matter, preservatives and other deleterious ingredients, with the exception of traces only of tin. | |
| " 5 | Tomato Extract | Copper equivalent to 3.46 grains of crystallised copper sulphate per pound and also 1.98 grains of tin per pound. | Medical Officers of Health and consignees concerned notified immediately. Parcels surrendered for destruction or export. |
| „ 18 | Preserves... | Tin to the extent of 0.99 grains per pound | Consignment released. |
| „ 18 | Liquid Egg | Free from the presence of preservatives and added colouring matter. | |
| 22 | Water | This sample, on analysis, gave the following results :— | |
| Ammonia, Free and Saline None. Ammonia, Albuminoid 0.0035 grains/gallon. Oxygen absorbed in 15 mins. 0.0217 „ Oxygen absorbed in 4hours 0.0380 „ Nitrogen, Nitrous None. Nitrogen, Nitric 0.14 „ Total Solids 31.15 „ Chlorine 6.20 „ Chlorine as Sodium Chloride 10.23 ,, "A microscopical examination showed that the deposit consisted of the carbonates of calcium and iron, with traces of vegetable matter. No living organisms were detected. | Tanks pumped out, cleansed and refilled with London water. | ||
| "In its present condition, this water is suitable for all dietetic purposes." | |||
| „ 24 | Yeast | Free from the presence of Arsenic | Consignment released. |
| „ 24 | Water | This sample, on analysis, gave the following results :— | |
| Ammonia, Free and Saline 0.0035 grains/gallon. | Tanks emptied cleansed and refilled with London water. | ||
| Ammonia, Albuminoid 0.0236 „ | |||
| Oxygen absorbed, 15 mins. 0.1667 ,, | |||
| Oxygen absorbed, 4 hours 0.2718 ,, | |||
| Nitrogen, Nitrous None. | |||
| Chlorine 2.30 „ | |||
| Chlorine equivalent to NaCL. 3.80 „ | |||
| B. Coli Communis, 1 c.c. Negative. | |||
| 10 c.c. Negative. | |||
| "There was insufficient of the sample to do a complete analysis, but the above results show that it can be consumed without harmful effects. | |||
| "A microscopical examination revealed the presence of mould growths, and it is probable that this is the cause of the trouble complained of." |