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
Battersea 1923
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1923
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80
Milk.
Of the whole-milk samples 43, or 6.1 per cent., were certified as
adulterated, whilst of the 10 samples of separated milk 2, or 20 per
cent., were reported against.
The average composition of the 659 samples reported as genuine proved to be as under :—
| Total milk solids | 12.5 % |
| Milk fat | 3.64% |
| Solids not fat | 8.86% |
The content of milk fat in these 659 samples ranged as follows:
| 4.0 per cent, and over | 90 samples or | 13.7 per cent. |
| 3.9 ,, ,, | 40 ,, | 6.1 ,, |
| 3.8 ,, ,, | 68 ,, | 10.3 ,, |
| 3.7 „ ,, | 84 ,, | 12.7 ,, |
| 3.6 „ ,, | 81 ,, | 12.3 ,, |
| 3.5 „ ,, | 77 ,, | 11.7 ,, |
| 3.4 ,, ,, | 90 ,, | 13.7 ,, |
| 3.3 ,, ,, | 57 ,, | 8.6 ,, |
| 3.2 ,, ,, | 36 ,, | 5.5 ,, |
| 31 ,, ,, | 21 ,, | 3.2 ,, |
| 3.0 ,, ,, | 15 ,, | 2.3 ,, |
All samples were systematically tested for the presence of
preservatives, but in none of the 712 samples examined was a
preservative found.
Milk sampling was carried out on 17 Sundays during the year
and 85 samples were purchased for analysis on these occasions.
Samples of milk in course of delivery to the wholesale firms or
to retailers to the number of 94 were taken during the year. The
bulk of these samples were taken at Clapham Junction and South
Lambeth railway stations.
Samples of milk to the number of 81 were taken in course of
delivery to public elementary schools, hospitals, &c., in the Borough.
Proceedings were taken with regard to adulteration in 36
instances (fat abstracted 8, extraneous water 19, both fat abstracted
and added water 2, added colouring matter 5 and separated milk 2),
particulars relating to which will be found set out in the summarised
tables on pages 67 to 70. Warranty as a defence was pleaded in
2 cases, and in both the plea was successful.
Sausages and Preserved Meats, &c.
Sixteen samples of sausages and 9 of preserved meats, &c., were
procured in the form prescribed by the Acts, and submitted to the
Public Analyst. Five of the sausages and 7 of the preserved meats.