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50
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
FOOD.
Milk Supply.
The milk supplied to this Borough has been, during the year, of
fair quality, very few complaints having been made with regard to
its wholesomeness or purity. The average fat content shown by
the samples analysed was 3.49 per cent., compared with 3.35 in
1918.
So far as could be ascertained there has been no shortage of milk
supplied to the Borough, the supply being equal to the demand.
The high price has had the effect of considerably reducing
consumption. From available returns it appears that during the
six weeks commencing 14th December, 1918, to 18th January, 1919,
when milk was sold retail at 10d. per quart, the quantity sold in the
Borough was 539,595 gallons, whereas in a similar period, 13th
December, 1918, to 17th January, 1920, when milk was retailed
at 1s. per quart, the quantity fell to 529,363 gallons, or 10,232
gallons less.
There are at present eight cowsheds and 434 milk retailers on
the Register, and these have been regularly inspected during the
year. Particulars of these are given in Table XXXV.
No action has been taken during the year with regard to tuberculous
milk, as the London CountyCouncil has dealt with this matter
for some years past.