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 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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In the 5 years 1930-34, and in 1935, the percentage of adulterated (formal) samples of milk was as under:—
| Year. | Samples taken. | Adulterated. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Percentage. | ||
| 1930 | 707 | 18 | 2.5 |
| 1931 | 777 | 28 | 3.6 |
| 1932 | 760 | 13 | 1.7 |
| 1933 | 768 | 6 | 0.8 |
| 1934 | 750 | 5 | 0.7 |
| Mean | 752 | 14 | 1.9 |
| 1935 | 738 | 6 | 0.8 |
A considerable proportion of the milk supply of London is
received at Clapham Junction and the South Lambeth Goods Stations
and samples are systematically taken on the arrival of the milk at
these two stations. Such samples are included in the return on
page 91.
The average composition of the 732 samples of milk (all formal), reported as genuine, proved to be as under:—
| Total milk solids | 12.47 per cent. |
| Milk fat | 3.59 „ „ |
| Non-fatty solids | 8.88„ „ |
The content of milk fat in these 732 samples ranged as follows:
| 4 per cent. and over | 64 samples or | 8.7 per cent. |
| Between 3.9 and 4.0 per cent. | 45 „ „ | 6.2 „ |
| „ 3.8 „ 3.9 „ | 67 „ „ | 9.2 „ |
| „ 3.7 „ 3.8 „ | 83 „ „ | 11.3 „ |
| „ 3.6 „ 3.7 „ | 77 „ „ | 10.5 „ |
| „ 3.5 ,, 3.6 ,, | 115 „ „ | 15.7 „ |
| „ 3.4 „ 3.5 „ | 108 „ „ | 14.8 „ |
| „ 3.3 „ 3.4 „ | 102 „ „ | 13.9 „ |
| „ 3.2 „ 3.3 „ | 47 „ „ | 6.4 ,, |
| „ 3.1 „ 3.2 „ | 17 „ „ | 2.3 „ |
| „ 3.0 „ 3.1 „ | 7 „ „ | 1.0 „ |
| 732 | 100.0 |
All samples were systematically tested for the presence of preservatives
and colouring matter but with negative results.
Milk sampling was carried out on 5 Sundays during the year,
and 30 samples were purchased for analysis on these occasions.
Samples of milk in course of delivery by wholesale firms to the
number of 36 were taken during the year. Many of these samples
were taken at Clapham Junction (S.R.) or South Lambeth (G.W.)