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 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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In the 5 years 1923-27, and in 1928 the percentage of adulterated (formal) samples of milk was as under:—
| Year. | Samples taken. | Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Percentage. | ||
| 1923 | 702 | 43 | 6.1 |
| 1924 | 721 | 25 | 3.4 |
| 1925 | 808 | 40 | 4.9 |
| 1926 | 738 | 32 | 4.3 |
| 1927 | 696 | 37 | 5.3 |
| Mean | 733 | 35 | 4.8 |
| 1928 | 668 | 21 | 3.2 |
The present year shews a marked decrease over the average
of the preceding five years in the number of adulterated samples,
and having regard to the importance of milk as an article of diet,
especially for infants and invalids, this must be regarded as highly
satisfartnrv
The average composition of the 647 samples reported as genuine proved to be as under:—
| Total milk solids | 12.28% |
| Milk fat | 3.55% |
| Non-fatty solids | 8.78% |
The content of fat in these 647 samples ranged as follows:—
| 4-0% and over | 39 samples or | 6.0% |
| Between 3.9 and 4 0% | 17 ,, ,,, | 2.6% |
| ,, 3.8 „ 3.9% | 56 ,, ,, | 8.7% |
| ,, 3.7 „ 3.8% | 58 ,, ,, | 9.0% |
| ,, 3.6 „ 3.7% | 80 ,, ,, | 12.4% |
| ,, 3.5 „ 3.6% | 98 ,, ,, | 15.1% |
| ,, 3.4 „ 3.5% ... | 122 ,, ,, | 18.9% |
| „ 3.3 „ 3.4% | 88 ,, ,, | 13.6% |
| ,, 3.2 „ 3.3% | 41 ,, ,, | 6.3% |
| „ 31 „ 3.2% | 28 ,, ,, | 4.3% |
| ,, 3.0 „ 3.1% | 20 „ ,, | 3.1% |
| Under 3.0% | — ,, ,, | — |
| 647 | 100.0% |