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 1927
Report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea for the year 1927
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81
The present year shews a slight increase over the average
of the preceding five years in the number of adulterated samples.
The average composition of the 659 samples reported as genuine proved to be as under:—
| Total milk solids | 12.42% |
| Milk fat | 3.63% |
| Non-fatty solids | 8.79% |
The content of fat in these 659 samples ranged as follows:—
| 4.0% and over | 82 samples | or 12.4% |
| Between 3.9 and 4.0% | 27 | „ 4.1% |
| 3.8 „ 3.9% | 45 „ | „ 6.8% |
| 3.7 „ 3.8% | 63 | „ 9.6% |
| 3.6 „ 3.7% | 89 | „ 13.5% |
| 3.5 „ 3.6% | 105 | „ 15.9% |
| „ 3.4 „ 3.5% | 77 | „ 11.7% |
| 3.3 „ 3.4% | 84 | „ 12.8% |
| 3.2 „ 3.3% | 50 | „ 7.6% |
| 3.1 „ 3.2% | 27 | „ 4.1% |
| 3.0 „ 3.1% | 10 | „ 1.5% |
| Under 3.0% | — | „ - |
| 659 | 100.0% |
All samples were systematically tested for the presence of preservatives.
In no case, however, was a positive result obtained.
Milk sampling was carried out on 16 Sundays during the year,
and 96 samples were purchased for analysis on these occasions.
Samples of milk in course of delivery by wholesale firms to the
number of 82 were taken during the year. The bulk of these
samples was taken at Clapham Junction or South Lambeth
Railway Stations. Samples of milk to the number of 74 were
taken in course of delivery to elementary schools in the borough.
Five samples were also taken in course of delivery at the
request of the Medical Officers of Health of neighbouring boroughs
under the provisions of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act,
1915, which permits the vendor to require (within 60 hours) the
Council to take samples from a corresponding delivery or milking.
Proceedings with regard to adulteration were taken in 26
instances—fat abstraction, 19; extraneous water, 4; added
colouring matter 3—particulars relating to which will be found
set out in the tables on pages 64 to 65. Warranty was pleaded
in defence in one case, but the requirements of the Milk and
Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, had not been complied with by
the vendor.