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 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Statistics of Adulteration.
| Nature of Sample. | Number examined. | Number adulterated. | Number of Prosecutions. | Percentage of adulterations. | Percentage of Prosecutions. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 665 | 57 | 33 | 8.6 | 4.9 |
| Butter | 59 | 7 | 1 | 11.9 | 1.7 |
| Margarine | 54 | 1 | - | 1.8 | — |
| Lard | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| Dripping | 35 | 1 | — | 2.8 | — |
| Cheese | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| Beef Suet | 1 | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Cocoa | 22 | — | — | — | — |
| Coffee | 63 | — | — | — | — |
| Mustard | 17 | 1 | 1 | 5.9 | 5.9 |
| Pepper | 80 | — | — | — | — |
| Vinegar | 18 | — | — | — | — |
| Flour | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Oatmeal | 4 | — | — | — | — |
| Rice | 4 | — | — | — | — |
| Almonds, Ground | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Jam | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Baking Powder | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Beer | 5 | — | — | — | — |
| Brandy | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Gin | 11 | — | — | — | — |
| Whisky | 119 | 2 | 2 | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| Rum | 8 | - | — | — | — |
| Liquorice Powder | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 1,175 | 70 | 38 | 6-0 | 3-2 |
Statistics of Adulteration in the various Districts.
| District. | Number examined. | Number adulterated. | Number of Prosecutions. | Percentage of adulterations. | Percentage of Prosecutions. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitechapel | 315 | 8 | 5 | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| St. George's | 261 | 19 | 7 | 7.3 | 2.7 |
| Limehouse | 197 | 13 | 8 | 6.6 | 4.1 |
| Mile End | 402 | 30 | 18 | 7.5 | 4.5 |
| Total | 1,175 | 70 | 38 | 6.0 | 3.2 |