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
City of London 1909
Annual report of Medical Officer of Health for 1909
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Laboratory, who reported on one sample as being
"a solution of lime in cane-sugar syrup. This substance, under various
"names, has been in use for some years, and is said to have a remarkable
"effect in increasing the thickness of the cream. In ordinary analysis
"its presence would not be suspected, as, if used in the quantities
"mended it would increase the ash of the cream only
".04 per cent. and the total solids .19 per cent. There is, however, no
"reason why an analysis, directed specifically to the detection of cane
"sugar and to the estimation of the relative proportion of lime in the
"ash, should not reveal the presence of this substance. Its use, even in
"small quantities, gives a fictitious value to cream."
Another article of a similar character was described as follows:—
"The sample consists of a solution of lime in cane-sugar syrup and is
"coloured with annatto colouring matter."
The circular also directed attention to a third article intended to increase
the weight and bulk of cream, with regard to which the Principal Chemist at
the Government Laboratory reported as under:—
The examination of the sample gives the following results: —
| "Water | 83.46 per cent. |
| "Proteins | 11.90 „ |
| "Lactine | 1.55 „ |
| "Milk fat | 1.26 „ |
| "Mineral matter | 1.28 „ |
| "Boric acid | .30 „ |
"The substance would appear to consist of some form of albuminoid
"matter which has been worked into an emulsion with milk and water.
"When received, the substance was thick and pasty, but in the course
"of two days it became decomposed, and was then of the consistency of
"thin cream.
"Cream to which this substance has been added is undoubtedly
"adulterated, and although the material does not appear to give any
"distinctive reaction, its detection in cream is not difficult if regard is
"had to the ratio between the non-fatty solids and fat, and particularly
"to the proportion of proteins in the non-fatty solids."
The views of your Public Analyst on this circular are contained in the
following report, copy of which was ordered to be forwarded to the Board of
Agriculture by the Court of Common Council on the 2nd December, 1909:—
"I have carefully perused and considered this circular.
"The analysis of a substance said to be employed for the purpose of
"thickening cream is given, but the analysis is incomplete. Before it