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 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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87
Sausages.—2 informal samples, not sold as " Preserved
Sausage," contained a sulphite preservative.
It is interesting to note that no sample taken in the last quarter
of the year was certified to be adulterated.
Milk.
Of the 750 samples of milk (all formal and including 2
of separated milk) submitted during the year, 5 or 0.7 per cent.
were reported as adulterated, 3 of these samples being deficient in
milk fat and 2 containing extraneous water. The percentages of
extraneous water found in the 2 adulterated samples were 1 per
cent. and 3½ per cent. respectively, whilst the deficiency in milk
fat in the 3 samples so reported against ranged from 2 to 14
per cent.
In the 5 years 1929-33, and in 1934, the percentage of adulterated (formal) samples of milk was as under:—
| Year. | Samples taken. | Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Percentage. | ||
| 1929 | 603 | 11 | 1.8 |
| 1930 | 707 | 18 | 2.5 |
| 1931 | 777 | 28 | 3.6 |
| 1932 | 760 | 13 | 1.7 |
| 1933 | 768 | 6 | 0.8 |
| Mean | 723 | 15.2 | 2.1 |
| 1934 | 750 | 5 | 0.7 |
A considerable proportion of the milk supply of London is
received at Clapham Junction and the South Lambeth Goods Station
and samples are systematically taken on the arrival of the milk at
these two stations. Such samples are included in the return on
page 85.
The average composition of the 743 samples of milk (all formal), excluding separated milk, reported as genuine, proved to be as under:—
| Total milk solids | 12.37 per cent. |
| Milk fat | 3.58 „ |
| Non-fatty solids | 8.79 „ |