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from a counter pan in the shop had not been efficiently plunged, the plunger being defective,
and the previous sample from the same premises also had shown a fat deficiency. The
vendor was fined £1, with £2 2s. costs. Other samples were reported against, but similar
action was not considered necessary, as repeat samples were found genuine.
A factor which, in future, will probably affect and lower the percentage figure of fatdeficient
samples is the increased sale of homogenised milk, the fat particles of which are
broken up under pressure. The fat or cream of homogenised milk does not separate out
on standing, and consequently there is not the necessity for plunging, as in the case of ordinary
milk. Some large distributors favour the supply of this milk, and thus eliminate the possible
failure of employees to plunge milk before sale. In milk bars it is customary for milk to
be served from pumps which pump milk from containers in refrigerating cabinets. These
pumps are fitted with flanges, or plungers, on the pistons intended to assist in agitating
the milk, to keep its constituents as evenly distributed as possible, as it is served to the
customer. The complete effectiveness of these plungers is doubtful, and many proprietors
of milk bars are now serving homogenised milk. Consequently, when a sample is taken,
it is unlikely to be deficient in milk fat, and therefore they are not exposed to the resultant
consequences of serving milk below the legal limit as regards fat-content. Incidentally,
the customer is receiving the benefit of purchasing milk with its proper proportion of fat.
Of the 215 samples of milk procured during the year, 105 were purchased from roundsmen
in the streets.

It will be noticed that three samples had a fat-content exceeding 5 per cent. These
were taken in course of delivery at a railway terminus from churns containing milk from
Jersey cows.
Five purveyors of milk from whom samples had been taken availed themselves of the
provisions of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, and served notices upon the
Authority requesting samples of milk to be procured in course of delivery from their suppliers.
MILK-IN-SCHOOLS SCHEME.
Samples, both for chemical analysis and bacteriological examination, were taken
quarterly from each of the contractors supplying milk under this scheme, upon delivery
to the schools. Milk that has been pasteurised in accordance with the requirements of the
Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1936, only is supplied, and this Order requires that, on
a sample being taken, it shall not contain more than 100,000 bacteria per millilitre. An
improved technique for the bacteriological examination of such milk was introduced in
January and, as was expected, individual higher bacterial counts generally were recorded
than previously. All the samples taken for chemical analysis were certified genuine, but
of the bacteriological samples, eight were found to exceed the bacterial limit mentioned.
In each case the circumstances were communicated to the contractors concerned and also
the Medical Officer of Health of the London County Council. The contractors investigated
the complaints and conferred with the bacteriologist and myself on the matter. A possible
cause of these excessive counts may have been connected with long runs of the pasteurising
plants, which would have the effect of encouraging the growth of thermophilic organisms.
Repeat samples proved satisfactory.