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The mean composition of the milks which did not fall below the legal minimum
for milk fat or for solids not fat again shows a reduction on the figures for the
5 previous years. Extreme values are even more rare than they were the year
before and the tendency noted then of the quality of the samples becoming more
uniform is even more evident in the year just completed.
May, June and July provided the milks of the lowest average quality, as they
generally do, but this year this tendency was no doubt accentuated by the drought
which prevailed.
Mean composition.
Sp. Gr. Milk-fat. Solids (not fat). Total Solids.
1921 1031.25 3.50 8.70 12.20
Butter.—281 samples were examined, of which 2 informal samples were found
to consist of margarine.
Roll and Butter.—38 samples were examined; of these no less than 18 were
adulterated. 17 consisted of roll and margarine.
Margarine.—61 samples were examined. All were genuine, and all contained
boric acid as preservative, in quantities ranging from 15 to 30 grains per lb.
Cream.—24 samples were taken, all of which on examination proved genuine.
15 were free from preservative, while 9 contained boric acid in quantities ranging
from 10 to 14.7 grains per lb.
Coffee.—110 samples were examined. All were genuine.
Mustard.—Of the 30 samples examined, 2 contained 10 per cent, of starch each.
Solac.—One sample of this preparation of vegetable milk was examined and
gave the following results.
Sp. Gr. Fat. Total Solids. Solids (not fat).
1015 3.1 7.74 4.64
It is a vegetable product made from the soya bean.
The "solids (not fat)" of this preparation compare unfavourably with those of
a normal milk, the legal minimum for which is 8.5 per cent, for the solids not fat.
On the other hand, when made from the powder the quality could be improved by
reducing the amount of water used.
Green Peas.—Nine samples were examined and all contained small amounts of
tin, the highest amount being 1.6 grains per lb. It is usually accepted that anything
under 2 grains per lb. is not harmful to the individual, but it may be permissible
to doubt if some may not react more readily to this substance than others, and, if so,
this may account for some of the gastric and other troubles which so frequently
occur, and which are so difficult to account for.
STATISTICAL.
BIRTHS.
Registration.—The number of births registered during 1921 was 1,939*, being
278 less than in 1920. Of the children born, 996 were boys and 943 girls. The
birth rate per 1,000 of the population was 18*4 as against 21*5 in 1920.
* This figure is exclusive of births occurring in the Borough to persons usually non-resident
therein, but includes 217 births which occurred outside the district, and which have been transferred
as belonging to St. Marylebone:—
Legitimate Males 83
,, Females 89
Illegitimate Males 26
,, Females 19