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 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough.
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81
Milk.
Of the 612 samples of milk (including 8 informal samples
and 1 formal sample of separated milk) submitted during the year,
16 (11 formal and 5 informal) or 2-6 per cent., were reported as
adulterated, 8 of these samples (3 formal and 5 informal) being
deficient in milk fat and 8 (all formal samples) containing extra—
neous water. The deficiency in milk fat varied from 25 per cent,
to 3 per cent., and the proportion of extraneous water from 8 per
cent, to 1 per cent.
In the 5 years 1924-28, and in 1929 the percentage of adul— terated (formal) samples of milk was as under :—
| Year. | Samples taken. | Adulterated. | |
| No. | Percentage. | ||
| 1924 | 721 | 25 | 3.4 |
| 1925 1926 | 808 738 | 40 32 | 4.9 4.3 |
| 1927 | 696 | 37 | 5.3 |
| 1928 | 668 | 21 | 3.2 |
| Mean | 726 | 31 | 4.3 |
| 1929 | 603 | 11 | 1.8 |
It will be seen that the number of milk samples submitted for
analysis during the year is under the average of the preceding
five years, and that the percentage of adulteration is the lowest
yet recorded. This latter result, having regard to the value of
milk as an article of diet, especially for infants and invalids, must
be regarded as highly satisfactory.
The average composition of the 595 samples (including 3
informal samples) reported as genuine proved to be as under:—
Per cent.
Total milk solids 12.33
Milk fat 3.55
Non-fatty solids 8.78