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
Fulham 1912
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1912
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In the ten preceding years the samples purchased for analysis were as under: —
| Number of Samples. | Samples Adulterated. | Percentage of Adulteration. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | 354 | 18 | 5.1 |
| 1903 | 487 | 54 | 11.1 |
| 1904 | 673 | 115 | 17.1 |
| 1905 | 613 | 141 | 22.4 |
| 1906 | 559 | 163 | 28.1 |
| 1907 | 659 | 85 | 12.9 |
| 1908 | 997 | 162 | 16.8 |
| 1909 | 1,000 | 81 | 8.1 |
| 1910 | 999 | 127 | 12.7 |
| 1911 | 1,035 | 90 | 8.7 |
Of the milk samples 7 per cent, were certified as
adulterated compared with 8.2, 12.2 and 5.7 per cent, in
the preceding three years. The percentage of the
adulteration of milk throughout the whole country in
1911 was 11.9.
The average composition of the samples purchased as new milk in each of the four quarters was as under:—
| Solids other than Fat. | Fat. | Water. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 8.93 | 3.54 | 87.53 |
| 2nd „ | 8.65 | 3.41 | 87.94 |
| 3rd „ | 8.76 | 3.70 | 87.54 |
| 4th „ | 8.64 | 3.70 | 87.66 |
The Milk and Cream Regulations issued by the
Local Government Board came into operation on
October 1st, 1912. These provide that no preservative
shall be added to milk or to cream containing less than
35 per cent. of fat. In the case of cream containing over
35 per cent. of fat, boric acid, borax, or hydrogen peroxide
may be added, provided the amount of the preservative
used is stated on the label. The addition of any thickening