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
Penge 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Penge]
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46
Eight of the 9 informal or "test" samples were bought
from small milk sellers, a half-pennyworth of milk being
bought in each case, so that a true sample of what was being
sold to ordinary customers was obtained.
The constituent parts of these 8 samples were as follows:—
| Fat | Non-fatty Solids | Total Solids | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Standard (New Milk). | |||
| 1 | 3.76 | 8.80 | 12.56 |
| 2 | 3.42 | 8.98 | 12.40 |
| 3 | 3.85 | 9.30 | 13.15 |
| 4 | 3.90 | 9.30 | 13.20 |
| 5 | 3.50 | 8.50 | 12.00 |
| 6 | 3.80 | 9.02 | 12.82 |
| 7 | 3.10 | 8.91 | 12.01 |
| 8 | 3.20 | 8.82 | 12.02 |
The remaining "test" sample was taken in course of
delivery, and the analyst reported as follows:—
" It is an extremely poor milk, being slightly deficient
not only in fat, but also slightly in non-fatty solids as well.
It is one of those samples skilfully manipulated to just evade
proceedings, and must be regarded as not genuine."
TRADES INSPECTIONS.
Dairies.
There are 3 cowsheds in the District and 25 premises
registered as dairies or milkshops.
We received complaints regarding the smells from one
of the dairies, apparently caused by the washing of the
churns. The owners were communicated with, and they are
taking steps to prevent a recurrence of the nuisance,