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 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough.
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arrangement enabled an increase to be made in the number of samples
for chemical, etc., analysis submitted to the Public Analyst while
keeping within the sum provided in the Annual Estimates.
The total number of formal samples taken under the Act during
1954 was 322, of which 7, or 2.2 per cent., were certified to be
adulterated. In addition, 238 informal samples were procured, of which
4, or 1.7 per cent., were reported against.
The percentages of samples reported by the Public Analyst to be adulterated during the quinquennia 1921 to 1950 and in 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 are given in the following table:-
| Year | Formal samples (per cent.) | Informal samples (per cent.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean 1921-1925 | 6.4 | 7.4 |
| „ 1926-1930 | 3.3 | 2.4 |
| „ 1931-1935 | 1.8 | 2.1 |
| „ 1936-1940 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| „ 1941-1945 | 1.4 | 1.1 |
| „ 1946-1950 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
| 1951 | 1.1 | 1.9 |
| 1952 | 1.6 | 2.6 |
| 1953 | 2.6 | 2.8 |
| 1954 | 2.2 | 1.7 |
Milk.
One hundred formal samples of milk were taken during the year.
Of the 100 samples, 21 were designated as "Channel Islands" or
"South Devon" milk, for which a higher minimum percentage (viz.,
4 per cent.) of milk fat content is provided for under arrangements made
between the producers and the Ministry of Food. All of these samples
were reported to be in conformity with this standard, their average
composition being:-
Milk fat 4.38 per cent.
Non-fatty solids 9.12 „
Total milk solids 3.50 „
The milk fat content of the 21 samples of "Channel Island" or "South Devon" milk ranged as under:-
| Between 4.6 and 4.7 per cent. | 4 samples |
|---|---|
| „ 4.5 „ 4.6 „ | 2 „ |
| „ 4.4 „ 4.5 „ | 5 „ |
| „ 4.3 „ 4.4 „ | 5 „ |
| „ 4.2 „ 4.3 „ | 4 „ |
| „ 4.1 „ 4.2 „ | 1 sample |
| 21 |