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
Kensington 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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| Months. | Number of formal samples taken. | Average composition of all samples submitted, genuine and adulterated. | Average composition of genuine samples. | Ministry of Agriculture standard. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of milk fat. | Percentage of solids not fat. | Percentage o milk fat. | Percentage of solids not fat. | Percentage of milk fat. | Percentage of solids not fat | ||
| January | 31 | 3.58 | 8.72 | 3.59 | 8.80 | 3.0 | 8.5 |
| February | 31 | 3.59 | 8.98 | 3.59 | 8.98 | ||
| March | 24 | 3.59 | 8.81 | 3.59 | 8.81 | ||
| April | 31 | 3.49 | 8.74 | 3.51 | 8.76 | ||
| May | 30 | 3.36 | 8.79 | 3.37 | 8.81 | ||
| June July | 24 12 | 3.43 3.64 | 8.78 8.78 | 3.43 3.64 | 8.78 8.78 | ||
| August | 30 | 3.57 | 8.68 | 3.61 | 8.69 | ||
| September | 27 | 3.68 | 8.80 | 3.71 | 8.80 | Average composition of normal cow's milk. | |
| October | 29 | 3.78 | 8.82 | 3.78 | 8.82 | ||
| November | 30 | 3.88 | 8.77 | 3.88 | 8.79 | ||
| December | 15 | 3.61 | 8.66 | 3.61 | 8.66 | Percentage of milk fat. | Percentage of solids not fat. |
| 314 | 3.60 | 8.78 | 3.61 | 8.79 | 3.7 | 8.9 | |
The table shows that the average fat and non-fatty solid content for each month of the year
is well above the legal standard, and makes it clear that suspicion should fall on every sample
which at any time of the year shows a fat content as low as 3 per cent.
| Purveyors of milk in sealed bottles. | Dairymen. | Dairies and milkshops. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfers | – | 13 | 13 |
| Added to register | 13 | 2 | 2 |
| Vacated and removed from register | – | 5 | 5 |
| Dairymen with premises outside the borough added to register | – | 1 | – |
| On register January 1st, 1931 | 36 | 160 | 154 |
| On register December 31st, 1931 | 49 | 158 | 151 |
| (+) Increase. (—) Decrease. | + 13 | -2 | -3 |
The total number of inspections of dairies and milkshops in the borough in 1931 was 446.
During the year 1931, proceedings were taken in respect of milk being bottled in streets in
four cases. In one case, a fine of £2 was imposed, in two a fine of £1, and in the other a
fine of 10s.
Proceedings under the Milk and Dairies Order were taken against two itinerant purveyors
of milk. The men, who were not registered dairymen, were seen selling milk from a horse-drawn
vehicle in the northern part of the borough. The vehicle was in a dirty condition, as also was
the milk in one of the churns. Observation was kept and the two men were seen to carry the
vessels and utensils into a tenement house, and a subsequent inspection of the house revealed
that the utensils and churns were being stored in a bedroom. This room was found to be in an
extremely filthy condition. The following table shows the result of the prosecutions:—
Offence. Result.
Failing to keep clean the interior of a cart used for the each defendant fined £5.
conveyance of milk.
Failing to keep in a state of thorough cleanliness vessels Ditto.
used or intended to be used for containing milk.
Carrying on the trade of dairyman without being registered Ditto.
Using unregistered premises as a dairy One defendant fined £10;
the other £5.
In addition to the above, one of the defendants was fined £5 for obstruction.