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 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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96
Milk.
Of the 710 samples of milk (including 1 informal sample
and 2 formal samples of separated milk) submitted during the year,
19 (18 formal and 1 informal) or 2-7 per cent., were reported as
adulterated, 12 of these samples (11 formal and 1 informal) being
deficient in milk fat and 7 (all formal samples) containing extraneous
water. The deficiency in milk fat varied from 20 per cent.
to 1 per cent., and the proportion of extraneous water from 7 per
cent. to 1 per cent.
In the 5 years 1925-29, and in 1930 the percentage of adul-terated (formal) samples of milk was as under:—
| Year. | Samples taken. | Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Percentage. | ||
| 1925 | 808 | 40 | 4.9 |
| 1926 | 738 | 32 | 4.3 |
| 1927 | 696 | 37 | 5.3 |
| 1928 | 668 | 21 | 3.2 |
| 1929 | 603 | 11 | 1.8 |
| Mean | 703 | 28 | 3.9 |
| 1930 | 707 | 18 | 2.5 |
A great improvement in the quality of the milk supply is
shown by the above figures. A considerable portion of the milk
supply of London is received at Clapham Junction and the Nine
Elms Goods Station of the Great Western Railway, and samples
are frequently taken on the arrival of the milk at these two Stations.
Such samples are included in the return on page 94.
The average composition of the 689 samples (all formal) reported as genuine proved to be as under:—
| Per cent. | |
|---|---|
| Total milk solids | 12.37 |
| Milk fat | 3.55 |
| Non-fatty solids | 8.82 |