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281
[1909
account of the information thus received that the Solicitor in that case was
instructed to cross-examine the defendants as to their use of that article.
This Company were not the only purveyors of milk in North London who
practise this method of adulteration, for a few purveyors, some doing a large
trade, are known to purchase quantities of separated milk but are not known
to sell it. What becomes of it? Such a question would hardly pay in a
guessing competition, for the answers would undoubtedly be all in one
direction, so that everyone would be eligible for the prize. In consequence of
the facts elicited during the above-mentioned prosecution, the Medical Officer
of Health submitted a report, which is given below, to his Public Health Committee.
Since it was written, he has had a longer time to consider the matters
therein discussed, and such consideration has made him more confirmed than
ever in the opinions he has expressed in it; and he, therefore, earnestly asks
that the Local Goverment Board and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
shall seriously consider his suggestions, especially with respect to separated
milk. He has at the time of writing before him a list of five prosecutions
against another Companv which formerly traded in North London, and which
is now happily defunct, in four of which the summonses were dismissed on the
production of warranties. In one of the cases 40 per cent. of fat had been
abstracted ; in another 8 per cent.; and in a third 20 per cent.; while one
was for the addition of 8 per cent. of added water. From the information
which the Medical Officer of Health has since obtained, he has not the least
doubt that in every one of these cases separated milk had been added to the
pure milk. At all events the vendors used to purchase the article and were not
known to sell it.
Such adulterations as these are barefaced robberies, and the people who
commit them should be tried for obtaining money under false pretences, instead
of being prosecuted under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. Until some
very strong measures are adopted, this nefarious trade will be continued. It
is full time that the public should be protected by the adoption of means
which will make it impossible for purveyors of milk to secretly convey
separated milk into their premises, and also render it impossible for them to
mix that article with pure milk at the railway stations without instant discovery
being probable. In order to make certain of this, all churns or other vessels
containing separated milk should be branded in some very distinctive manner;
and persons who deal in it should be registered. Furthermore, the Government
should make a very careful inquiry as to what becomes of all the separated
milk which is a by-product of the various creameries throughout the country.