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 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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The results of analysis of the above samples of Soviet Butter obtained from the docks together with those of two samples taken under the Act are given below:—
| No. | Reichert-Wollny Value. | Polenske Value. | Moisture. | Preservative and Prohibited Dyes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L 108 | 26.4 | 2.2 | 11.47 | Absent |
| L 109 | 27.5 | 2.3 | 11.26 | ,, |
| 1 | 25.0 | 1.8 | 13.16 | ,, |
| 2 | 26.2 | 2.0 | 7.49 | ,, |
| 3 | 26.8 | 2.2 | 14.31 | ,, |
| 4 | 26.9 | 2.2 | 10.08 | ,, |
| 5 | 26.9 | 2.0 | 8.54 | ,, |
| 6 | 27.1 | 2.0 | 7.84 | ,, |
| 7 | 25.5 | 2.0 | 7.55 | ,, |
| 8 | 25.2 | 1.9 | 11.16 | ,, |
| 9 | 26.9 | 2.6 | 9.36 | ,, |
| 10 | 26.7 | 2.2 | 8.33 | ,, |
All these samples consisted of genuine clean butter. Macroscopic and
microscopic examination failed to detect any abnormal features (parasites,
etc.) in any of the samples.
The Reichert-Wollny value for genuine butter ranges usually between
24 and 32. The average moisture figure of samples obtained in the Borough
is 14.5 per cent., the legal maximum allowed being 16.0 per cent.
The above results show a low Reichert-Wollny value and a low moisture
content.
12 samples of Carbolic Powder (contract samples) were examined. Of
these 4 satisfied the requirements of the specification.
9 samples of bottled meat food products for export were satisfactory.
These consisted of:—Bortsch a la Russe (2), Beef Jelly, Mutton Broth, Scotch
Style Broth, Green Turtle Soup, Julienne Soup, Queue de Kanguroo and
Oxtail Soup.
7 samples of yeast were examined for the presence of arsenic. In three
cases arsenic was absent. The remaining 4 samples consisted of dried yeast
(foreign origin) to be used as a constituent of cattle food; these samples
contained 1.8 parts arsenic per million and were passed as satisfactory.
5 samples said to have caused illness consisted of:—Cocoa, Sugar, Sultana
Loaf, Bubble Chewing Gum and Sweet Apple.