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
Fulham 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]
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72
MILK
During 1938, 546 samples of milk (including one of machine-skimmed milk) were purchased by
Inspector Gammack in his capacity as Sampling Officer, and submitted to the Council's Public Analyst
for chemical analysis.
Of these, 248 were purchased from milk vendors in the streets during the early hours of the
morning, 42 were taken at the early morning delivery to hospitals, etc., in the Borough which are
under the control of the London County Council and 87 were purchased on Sundays and public
holidays.
Five, or 0.9 per cent., of the 546 samples of milk examined, were reported as adulterated, and the following table gives details of the results of the analyses of the samples and the action taken:—
TABLE 18.
| Sample No. | Result of Analysis. | Action taken. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 339 | 14% deficient in fat | These samples were taken from the same vendor, who was interviewed by the Medical Officer of Health and warned. | |
| 344 | Contained 2.5% added water | ||
| 355 | 2.1% | ||
| 972 | 24% deficient in fat | Vendor warned by letter after receipt of satisfactory explanation. | |
| 987 | Contained 1.18% added water on 8.5% solids-not-fat basis and 7.7% as shown by freezing point test. | Vendor warned by letter. | |
Subsequent samples purchased from the vendors of these adulterated samples have all proved
satisfactory.
Particulars of the number and percentage of adulterated samples of milk for the years 1929 to 1938 inclusive are given in the following table:—
TABLE 19
SAMPLES OF MILK ADULTERATED
| Year. | 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|