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
Acton 1919
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Acton]
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The weekly amount of milk sold in the different premises varied from gallons to over 2,500 gallons, and the following is a summary of the average weekly quantities sold:—
| Quantity. | Number of Retailers. |
|---|---|
| Under 10 gallons | 13 |
| 10-20 gallons | 14 |
| 20-30 gallons | 8 |
| 30-40 gallons | 4 |
| 80-100 gallons | 2 |
| 100-150 gallons | 2 |
| 150-300 gallons | 7 |
| 300-500 gallons | 5 |
| 500-700 gallons | 3 |
| 700-1,000 gallons | 2 |
| 1,000-1,500 gallons | 1 |
| 1,500-2,000 gallons | 2 |
| 2,500-2,700 gallons | 1 |
The Ministry of Health desires information of the general
adequacy of the arrangements for the supply and distribution of
milk of pure and wholesome character.
If number and general adequacy were synonymous terms,
then the district would be very well served, but it may be taken as
a general rule, that the efficiency of the arrangements for the distribution
of milk is in inverse ratio to the number.
The lower the number per head of the population, the better
appointed, as far as cleanliness of premises and utensils are the dairymen's
premises.
There is another aspect to the question; the multiplicity of
small premises increases the cost of distribution. In the Winter
Prices Order, 1919-1920, the average price to the producer was
2s. 9d., and the average cost of distribution was is. id. In the
Summer Prices Order, 1919, the cost of distribution was nearly 70
per cent, of the price paid to the producer, viz.:—is. 6d. to the producer
and is. id. for distribution.
It is no uncommon sight to see 3 or 4 milk churns belonging
to different retailers in the same street at the same time.