Adulteration Collection

The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. Artist: John Leech
The Great Lozenge-Maker. A Hint to Paterfamilias, 1858. This cartoon indicts the sweet-making industry. At the time, many strange, and possibly noxious ingredients were used in sweets

The Testimonial presented to Dr. Hassall, on Thursday, 1856. Creator: Unknown
The Testimonial presented to Dr. Hassall, on Thursday, 1856. Gift to British chemist and microscopist Arthur Hill Hassall

Bobbing the Beer, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Bobbing the Beer, 1850. The adulteration of Beer, technically termed "Bobbing, " is, unfortunately for the public health, a practice much resorted to by the sellers of London Porter

The late Dr. Normandy, Analytical Chemist, 1864. Creator: Unknown
The late Dr. Normandy, Analytical Chemist, 1864. Dr. Normandy soon attained a high position amongst practical chemists, and became well known for his acquirements in the application of their science

WATERING THE WINE
The wine-merchant in his cellar at dead of night... 1905

Food adulteration, 1845
London improvements : adulteration of food in 1845. Sand is added to sugar, milk is watered down, bone dust and plaster of paris is added to dough and Vitriol is mixed into gin. Date: 1845

Bakers with bread on a Christmas card -- He knows which side his bread is buttered. Date: circa 1890s

French adultery caricature postcard, c1900

A Comic Retrospect of 1873: Coram Street; Adulteration Act; School Board Entirely Free from Party Politics, 1873 Engraving

The Stepping Stone, or John Bull peeping into Futurity!!! (colour etching)
XCF290958 The Stepping Stone, or John Bull peeping into Futurity!!! (colour etching) by English School; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Thomas Wakley (1795-1862) English medical and social reformer and friend of William Cobbett. Founded the medical journal The Lancet in 1823. Exposed adulteration of foodstuffs (1851-1860)

A Comic Retrospect of 1873: Coram Street; Adulteration Act; School Board Entirely Free from Party Politics, 1873 Engraving

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The Great Lozenge-Maker, a satirical nod to Paterfamilias from 1858 by John Leech, sheds light on the rampant issue in the 19th century. From watered-down wine (as depicted in a French caricature postcard from around 1900) to tampered food supplies exposed in an 1845 report, the problem was far-reaching. Thomas Wakley, a medical and social reformer, joined forces with William Cobbett to combat food adulteration. Yet, as this comic retrospect of 1873 titled "Coram Street; Adulteration Act; School Board Entirely" illustrates, the fight against adulteration was an ongoing battle. Even bakers, as seen on a Christmas card, were not immune to the temptation to cut corners. These historical snapshots serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and consumer protection in our food and drink industries.