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The vendor of the 0.5 per cent, sample stated in reply that he purchased
all his cream from a creamery guaranteed as "unpreserved," for
which he paid an extra price.
The vendor of the 03 per cent. sample stated in reply that he purchased
the large majority of his requirements from a reliable firm under
a guarantee that the cream contains no preservative.
The vendor of the 0.25 per cent. sample stated in reply that he
obtained his cream from a factory, but without any warranty as to
absence of preservatives. By an oversight of an assistant the proper label
had not been attached to the sample sold to the Inspector.
None of the samples of cream were examined for determination of
percentages of milk fat, or for thickening substances.
Microscopical Examination of Milk Samples for Dirt Deposits and
Cells or Nuclei.
In the autumn of 1913,16 milk samples were submitted to the Lister
Institute for examination. The process pursued was as follows:— 150 c.c.
of each sample was taken and centrifugalised for 30 minutes. The supernatant
fluid was then removed and the deposit emulsified in 10 c.c. of
normal saline, again centrifugalised for 30 minutes in Houston's graduated
tubes, and the amount of deposit read off. The deposit was made up to
5 c.c with a special gentian violet stain and shaken for 15 minutes. A
small quantity was then taken, and the cells or nuclei counted by the
Thoma-Zeiss method.
Seven of the samples were purchased at what may be termed high
class dairies (class A), 5 at middle class dairies (class B), and 4 at small
general shops (class C).
One of the samples from class B was an exceptional one, containing
a very large number of cells and much deposit. Excluding this sample,
the averages of the three classes are as follows:—
Class. Amount of deposit in 150 c.c. No. of celts per c.c.
A 0.036 c.c. 2.8 millions.
B 0.031 c.c. 3.4 „
C 0.060 c.c. 6.4 „
The number of samples examined is too small to allow of any very
definite conclusions being reached, and it is proposed to continue the
observations during the present year; but, so far as they go, the results
obtained seem to show that, whilst there is no very great difference
between the high class and middle class dairies, which are engaged more
or less exclusively in the sale of milk, there is a very considerable deterioration
in the quality of the milk sold by the small general shops engaged in
a mixed trade.
The smallest amount of dirt deposit in any milk was 0.02 c.c. per
150 c.c., and the largest 0.07. The smallest number of cells per c.c. in
any milk was 12 millions, and the largest 11.5 millions.
REPORTS PRESENTED TO THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.
22nd January. The Provision of a Tuberculosis Dispensary for
Chelsea.
26th November. Further Report on the Tuberculosis Dispensary
Scheme.