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
City of Westminster 1922
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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in proper time. One summons was withdrawn on payment of costs, the
defendant having only taken over a "round" with a stock of milk a
few hours before the sample was taken.
Eleven of the samples were taken from milk sellers on their rounds,
one sample had 4 per cent. added water, the others had deficiency in fat
equal to 5, 6, 6, 7, 15, 27, 28, 34, 65 and 70 per cent.
The. remaining 10 samples were purchased half in places of refreshment
and half in ordinary milk dealers' premises. The offences were
3 per cent. added water, and deficiency of fat of 6, 7, 9, 12, 19, 19, 24,
24 and 52 per cent.
In the case of the firm summoned for three offences it was eventually
discovered that the farmer was supplying adulterated milk, and proceedings
against him were taken elsewhere.
On an average every retailer is sampled at least four times a year,
while those having multiple shops or a number of roundsmen are sampled
a greater number of times.
| Article. | Number of samples examined for preservative. | Number containing preservative and Percentage of preservative found in each sample. |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 998 | No preservative found. |
| „ separated | 6 | „ „ „ |
| Cream | 59 | 12 contained preservative:— 0.2, 3.9, 8.4, 10.5, 12.6, 14.7, 18.9, 18.9, 19.6, 21, 26.6 boric acid; and one contained a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. |
| Number examined. | Without preservative. | Preservative under amount stated on label. (0.4 per cent.) | Preservative over amount stated on label. | Milk fat in preserved cream. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Above 35 per cent. | Below 35 per cent. | ||||
| 37 | 2 | 35* | Nil. | 37 | Nil |
* Samples contained respectively 27.3, 26.5, 25.9, 25.2, 24.5, 23.8, 23.8, 23.8
23.8, 23.8, 23.1, 21.7, 21.0, 19.6, 18.2, 17.5,
17.5, 17.5, 17.5, 17.0, 16.8, 18.1, 14.1, 14.0,
14.0, 13.3, 13.3, 12.6, 12.0, 11.2, 11.0, 11.0,
10.0, 8.4.
Action Taken—Nil.
Infringements under Article 5 (1)—Nil.
Infringements under Article 5 (2)—Five cases—Receptacles not labelled; prosecuted
and fined £4, £4, £2 and £2 2s. and 10s. respectively with costs.
Thickening substances—None found.