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
Sutton and Cheam 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton and Cheam]
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MILK SUPPLY
There are 12 dairymen and 13 retail purveyors of milk in the
district. Two persons whose premises are outside the district are
also registered as retail purveyors.
Routine inspection of premises has again revealed that the
provisions of the Milk and Dairies Order 1926, have been generally
well observed.
The following licences to sell graded milks were granted in 1948:-
| Grade of Milk | Type of licence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealers' | Supplementary | |||
| Tuberculin Tested | 13 | 2 | ||
| Pasteurised | 13 | 2 | ||
BACTERIOLOGICAL MILK SAMPLES
83 samples of milk were submitted for bacteriological
examination as follows:-
1. Pasteurised, Heat Treated and Sterilized Milk
| Number of Samples | Phosphatase Test | Methylene Blue (Reductase) Test | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | Decolourised in less than 30 minutes | Not docolourised in 30 minutes | |
| 72 | 72 | — | 5 | 67 |
2. Tuberculin Tested (Pasteurised) Milk
| Number of Samples | Phosphatase Test | Methylene Blue | (Reductase) Test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | |
| 11 | 11 | - | 9 | 2 |
The seven unsatisfactory bacteriological milk samples were
taken towards the end of July.
During this period the weather was very warm and dry. These
conditions had??? an adverse effect on the keeping qualities of the milk,
and no doubt caused the failure to pass the Methylene Blue Test.
During the following month, when the weather was cooler, the
repeat bacteriological milk samples taken proved satisfactory.
(19)