View report page

118
Taking into consideration the abnormal absence of rain in the Summer season, and
the consequent shortness of pasturage, the above low percentage of adulteration is
remarkable, milk during the period of the hot weather being scarce was therefore demanding
high prices, and the incentive to adulterate was greater to vendors so disposed,
and it is a matter of congratulation to find that the City milk supply fully maintained
its high character during this trying period.
The extent of sophistication of milk samples was in percentages of added water
varying from 5 to 35 per cent. ; abstracted fat from 7 to 17 per cent. ; in one case only
was a sample found to be both adulterated with added water and deprived of part of
its fat. The sample containing the 35 percentage of added water was taken at the
Railway Station from a churn of milk consigned by an Essex farmer.
Out of the 453 samples of milk submitted to the Public Analyst, in two cases
boric acid was found, in one instance 30½ grains to the gallon was discovered to be
present in the sample purchased from a person selling in the street, and in the other sample
purchased at a small retailer's shop the preservative was present in the milk, but the
quantity could not be determined on account of the smallness of the sample submitted.
It is satisfactory to note that the above are the first cases of preservatives being
found in milk sold in the City of London for many years—both samples of milk were
obtained in the month of June.
The following Table shows the relation between place of purchase and
adulteration:—
Where Purchased.
No. of
Samples taken.
No. Adulterated.
Percentage of Samples
Adulterated.
1910.
1911.
1910.
1911.
1910.
1911.
At shop
435
386
13
5
29
1.3
In the street
16
37
-
1
—
2.7
During delivery
23
11
7
6
304
54.5
Total
474
434
20
12
42
2.8
The considerable increase in the percentage of adulterated milk taken in course of
delivery is accounted for by four samples taken at railway stations, which were being
consigned by suspected vendors, all four of which proved to be sophisticated, the
adulteration in two cases (the same vendor) being 5 per cent, of added water, and in the
other two, 32 and 35 per cent, respectively (same vendor).
The fines inflicted for samples taken in course of delivery were as follows :—Two
samples each with 5 per cent, added water, taken at railway stations, £10 and £3 3s.
costs, the other two samples, similarly taken, for adulteration of 32 and 35 per cent,
added water respectively, £10 and £o 5s. costs.
Of those taken from wholesale dealers delivering at shops, one, showing 14. per
cent, of added water, a fine of £5 and 17s. 6d. expenses was awarded, and in the other
(a second offence) the amount mulcted was £25 and £3 3s. costs.
Warranties were pleaded in three milk prosecutions ; the summonses were dismissed
in two cases, the defendant paying the cost of 17s. 6d. in one of these. In the other
case, although the defendant pleaded a “Warranty,” he failed to establish the same.
The case presented interesting features.