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12 of the samples were not satisfactory, and, therefore, the
percentage of non-genuine samples amounted to about 8 per cent., a
figure which is slightly above that of the preceding year, when it was
7 per cent The figure for the whole country was 8.1 per cent. during
the year 1907.
12.6 per cent. of the milk samples were unsatisfactory, as against
8.4 per cent. during the preceding year; but in some cases the
deficiency below the legal limits was very slight. Nearly 29 per cent,
of the samples of milk were taken on. Sundays, and of these 12 per
cent. were adulterated. The percentage of adulteration of milk for
the whole country during 1907 was 10.5.
MILK ADULTERATION.
It will be noted that the percentage of adulterated samples of
milk purchased in the Borough' is a high one and compares unfavourably
with that for the country as a whole. Indeed, if one takes the
mean of the adulterated samples purchased in Stoke Newington during
the past 10 years we shall still find the figure somewhat in excess
of that for the country generally. This discreditable circumstance must
not be allowed to continue; but a successful warfare against this form
of fraud depends more upon those who have to convict and to inflict
penalties than upon those whose duty it is to bring offenders to the
Courts. Drastic penalties are necessary to impress offenders with
the gravity of the offence and to make the offence unprofitable in the
long run. It has been very truly said that "a dishonest milkman
belongs to the meanest class of thieves—creatures who steal and poison
the food of babies and little children." The adulteration cheapens
the article by robbing it of its nutritive value. This may and does
mean a great deal to infants, more especially those of poorer parents
who have to exercise the greatest economy in its use. I am confident
that it must be a factor in the reduction of the nutrition, natural
resistance to disease and the physical development of some children.
Moreover the honest tradesmen needs protection against this class of
rogue.