London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Battersea 1931

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]

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91
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 89.
The average composition of the 749 samples (all formal)
reported as genuine proved to be as under:—
Per cent.
Total milk solids 12.37
Milk fat 3.56
Non-fatty solids 8.81
The content of fat in these 749 samples ranged as follows:—
4 per cent. and over 49 samples or 6.5 per cent.
Between 3.9 and 4.0 per cent. 22 „ ,, 2.9 „
„ 3.8 „ 3.9 „ 45 „ „ 6.0 „
„ 3.7 „ 3.8 86 „ „ 11.5 „
„ 3.6 „ 3.7 „ 128 „ „ 17.1 „
„ 3.5 „ 3.6„ 140 „ „ 18.7 „
„3.4 „ 3.5 „ 108 „ „ 14.4 „
„3.3 „ 3.4 „ 77 „ „ 10.3 „
„ 3.2 „ 3.3 „ 51 „ „ 6.8 „
„ 3.1„ 3.2 „ 30 „ „ 40 „
„3.0 „ 3.1 „ 11 „ „ 1.5 „
Under 3.0 per cent. 2 „ „ 0.3 „
749 100.0
All samples were systematically tested for the presence of preservatives
and colouring matter. In no case, however, was a positive
result obtained.
Milk sampling was carried out on 4 Sundays during the year,
and 25 samples were purchased for analysis on these occasions.
Samples of milk in course of delivery by wholesale firms to the
number of 53 were taken during the year. Most of these samples
were taken at Clapham Junction or South Lambeth (G.W.) Railway
Stations. Samples of milk to the number of 185 were taken in
course of delivery to hospitals and elementary schools in the
borough. The supply of milk to hospitals and institutions is kept
under careful supervision and samples are periodically taken not
only for chemical analysis for adulteration or sophistication, but
also to ascertain its bacteriological condition and cleanliness.