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56
Composition of Milk Samples.
Of the 609 (590 formal and 19 informal) samples of milk
taken during the year, only one formal sample was found not to
conform to requirements.
Included in the total of 609 were 21 samples of milk taken
formally in the course of delivery, and 14 samples taken informally
(all from sealed churns) at the Dulwich, St. Francis and St. Giles'
Hospitals, and 21 samples formally taken in the course of delivery
to schools situated in various parts of the Borough. All of these
samples were certified as genuine.
Three samples of milk were examined for the presence of
"dirt and the reports thereon stated that "no dirt was detected."

Milk Adulteration.
In 1937 I recorded the fact that the percentage of milk adulteration
during that year was the highest for the past 17 years, viz
4.24 per cent.
On this occasion I am glad to be able to state that the percentage
of adulteration has fallen to 0.16 per cent., which is the
lowest ever recorded in this Borough.
Only in one instance was a sample of milk reported against,
and this was due to the carelessness of the Vendor in failing to
thoroughly shake or otherwise mix the milk contained in a pint
bottle before serving half that quantity to the Sampling Officer's
Assistant.
In my opinion the prosecutions that were instituted and the
cautions administered, at the direction of the Public Health Committee,
during the year 1937, has brought about a better and more
careful supervision and distribution of milk in this Borough and
has resulted in the low figure of adulteration obtained during the
year under review.