London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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East Ham 1899

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]

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29
During the year a great deal of time has been devoted to the
working of these Acts.
In January a Conference was held in London, under the
auspices of the Metropolitan Committee of the Essex County
Council, when a resolution was carried approving the action of
the local authorities who were carrying out the provisions of the
above Acts, and suggested that every urban district within the
Metropolitan area should follow their example. It was further
agreed that the Essex County Council should assist in defraying
the expenses of working the Acts.
Eighty-nine samples have been procured and submitted to
the Public Analyst for analysis, which revealed 24 of them to be
adulterated, being equal to 2 6.96 per cent, of adulteration.
Of the 89 samples taken, 38 were taken on Sundays, 17 of
which proved to be adulterated, being equal to 4473 per cent, of
adulteration; while of the 51 samples taken on week-days, only 7
proved to be adulterated, being equal to 1372 percent, of adulteration,
showing a difference in Sunday adulteration of 31'oi per
cent. These figures speak for themselves, proving the necessity
for Sunday sampling.
In January I purchased half a pound of butter from a shop
in Romford Road, and when the butter was about to be divided,

Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. The number and nature of samples of Food taken.

Article of Food.Number of Samples taken.Result of Anaysis.
Genuine.Adulterated
Milk634419
Butter21174
Pepper22
Mustard11
Ice Cream11
Lime Water11
Total896524