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most difficult undertaking to obtain under stringent conditions
as to purity, &c., a supply of milk suitable for infants, and this
has only been accomplished by the Council having to pay an
enhanced price. This fact is a striking commentary on the
milk supply of London.
As regards (b), the milk is only supplied on the applicant
producing a form signed by the medical attendant that the
case is a suitable one for admission to the Milk Depot, or, in
the alternative, satisfying the Medical Officer of Health to the
like effect.
As regards (c), this is to a large extent secured by the
attendance of the majority of the infants at the weighing room,
under the supervision of the Medical Officer of Health.
With regard to (d), it is to be regretted that, under present
conditions this would appear to be impossible of achievement.
The working expenses of a Milk Depot must necessarily be
heavy ; and when it is remembered that the milk is sold at the
market price, the impossibility of making a profit will be at once
obvious.
It will be convenient, therefore, to consider the work
carried out by the Council in connection with the Infants' Milk
Depot under three headings :—
1. The methods adopted.
2. The results obtained.
3. The financial outlay.
1. The Methods Adopted.
The milk, which is at present obtained from a farm in
Kent, on arrival at the Milk Depot, is placed in the cooling
room until required for modification. This process begins
about 7.30 a.m. The milk is first strained through Ulan
strainers, to remove any suspended matter. It is then subjected
to the following degrees of modification, which are based
on those in operation at the Great Ormond Street Children's
Hospital :—