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
Battersea 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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The Analyst reports that the content of milk fat in these 737 samples ranged as follows:—
| 4 per cent, and over | 75 samples | or | 10-2 per cent. |
| Between 3.9 and 4.0 per cent. | 37 ,, | ,, | 5.0 ,, |
| ,, 3.8 „ 3.9 ,, | 79 ,, | ,, | 10.7 ,, |
| ,, 3.7 „ 3.8 ,, | 85 ,, | ,, | 11.5 ,, |
| ,, 3.6 „ 3.7 ,, | 147 ,, | ,, | 19.9 ,, |
| „ 3.5 „ 3.6 ,, | 128 ,, | ,, | 17.4 ,, |
| ,,3.4 „ 3.5 ,, | 105 ,, | ,, | 14.3 ,, |
| ,, 3.3 „ 3.4 ,, | 54 ,, | ,, | 7.3 ,, |
| ,, 3.2 ,, 3.3 ,, | 19 ,, | ,, | 2.6 ,, |
| ,, 3.1 „ 3.2 ,, | 5 ,, | ,, | 0.7 ,, |
| ,, 3.0 „ 31 ,, | 3 ,, | ,, | 0.4 ,, |
| 737 | 100.0 |
All samples were systematically tested for the presence of preservatives
and colouring matter but with negative results.
Milk sampling was carried out on 5 Sundays during the year,
and 38 samples were purchased for analysis on these occasions.
Samples of milk in course of delivery by wholesale firms to the
number of 10 were taken during the year. Thirty-nine samples of
milk were also taken in course of delivery to hospitals and elementary
schools in the Borough, all of which were certified to be genuine.
The supply of milk to hospitals and institutions is kept under
careful supervision and samples are periodically taken for chemical
and bacteriological analysis.
During the year 30 samples of milk were taken for bacteriological
examination. Of these 19 were of pasteurised milk and 11
of ungraded milk. The last mentioned samples were tested for the
tubercle bacillus but with negative result. The results of the bacteriological
examination showed that all the samples complied with
the requirements.
Under the provisions of sections 21 and 29 and the second
schedule of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, a vendor
from whom a sample has been purchased for the purpose of analysis
is permitted to require (within 60 hours) the Council to take samples
from a corresponding delivery or milking. During the year
advantage was taken of these provisions by five Battersea milk
purveyors in regard to 13 samples of milk. No requests were
received from the Medical Officers of Health of neighbouring
Boroughs for the taking of such samples in the course of delivery.
Proceedings with regard to adulteration were taken in seven
instances, particulars relating to which will be found set out in
the table on pages 82 and 83.