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
Marylebone 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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18
A.—FOOD: MILK SUPPLY.
Analysis of Milk.—The total number of samples taken either formally and in
accordance with the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, or informally
as "test" samples, was 273. On examination by the Public Analyst 8 (2.9 per
cent.) were found to be adulterated. In 1926 the percentage was 0.8. Further
reference to the question of milk examinations is made in the report of the Public
Analyst, which will be found elsewhere. As will be seen from the table setting
out the quarterly returns the number of cases in which proceedings were instituted
was 7.
Six of the summonses were in respect of samples taken from one individual,
a farmer, whose milk had been found on several occasions to be below standard.
A considerable number of samples were taken on Saturday nights and Sunday
mornings, and in all 74 were obtained on delivery at Marylebone Station of the
London & North-Eastern Railway. Of the 74, six proved to be adulterated, and
proceedings were instituted and fines and costs amounting to £18 and £7 7s.
respectively imposed.
| Quarter of the Year. | No. of Samples Taken. | No. of Samples Adulterated. | Percentage Adulterated. | No. of Prosecutions Instituted. | Fines and Costs. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | |||||
| 3rd | — | — | — | - | |||
| 4th | |||||||
Bacteriological Examination of Milk.—With a view to testing the purity of
milk from the bacteriological point of view, 8 samples were taken and submitted
to Dr. Foulerton, the Council's Bacteriologist, for examination.
In each case in which a result not entirely satisfactory was obtained communications
were sent to the Local Authority of the district in which the milk was
produced in order that an investigation might be carried out locally. On all
occasions the greatest willingness to co operate was shown by the officers of these
authorities, and it is safe to claim that definite improvements have followed the
taking of action on these lines.
In addition to these samples, 53 of certified milk were taken and submitted
to Dr. Foulerton for examination. The reports were almost invariably satisfactory
and, in accordance with the usual arrangement, were forwarded to the
Ministry of Health.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.—Frequent inspections of cowsheds and
milk premises were made with the object of discovering whether or not the
requirements of the regulations as to cleanliness, etc., were being complied with,
Ik no case was it necessary to take action.