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
Camberwell 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camberwell.
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71
MILK.
Six hundred and forty-six formal samples of Milk and four samples of
Separated Milk, making a total of 650, were taken and submitted to the Public
Analyst.
Thirteen samples did not comply with the requirements, the adulteration
therefore being 2 per cent.
Samples Nos. 801, 802 and 803 were purchased from a milkman retailing milk
in the street from a cart.
His practice was to visit this Borough on Sunday mornings, at irregular
intervals, select different working-class neighbourhoods on each occasion, and sell
the "milk" at a cheap rate.
Formal samples were eventually obtained, which upon analysis proved to be
nothing more than separated milk.
Summonses were issued but were not served, owing to a false name and address
being given by the vendor. The name and address on the cart were also incorrect.
Further proceedings are being taken.
Table "C" gives the particulars of the adulterated samples of Milk and the
result of legal proceedings or other action taken.
TABLE "C."
| Sample No. | Deficiency of Fat. per cent. | Added Water. per cent. | Result of Proceedings. |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 834 | 5 | – | Dismissed on payment of £1 costs. |
| No. 921 | 32 | – | Dismissed on payment of £3 3s. costs. |
| No. 1,019 | – | 7 | Vendor fined £1 and £1 1s. costs. |
| No. 23 | – | 4 | Caution, Public Health Committee. |
| No. 32 | 15 | – | Vendor fined £3 and £2 2s. costs. |
| No. 105 | – | 4 | Dismissed on technicality, no costs. |
| No. 106 | – | 4 | Do. (same vendor). |
| No. 284 | 8 | – | Caution, Public Health Committee. |
| No. 330 | – | 8 | Fined £1. |
| No. 348 | 26 | – | Summons withdrawn, vendor paying 12s. 6d. costs. |
| No. 801 | 93 | – | Summons not served. False name and address being given by the vendor. |
| No. 802 | 96 | – | Do. |
| No. 803 | 92 | – | Do. |
Table "D" shows the percentage of adulteration during the past seven years.
TABLE "D."
| Year. | 1918. | 1919. | 1920. | 1921. | 1922. | 1923. | 1924. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of adulteration | 11.7 | 6.9 | 2.8 | 1.95 | 1.95 | 1.59 | 2.0 |