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 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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40
Milk.—As milk is one of our chief articles of diet it has been the custom for
some years to begin the comments on various samples examined during the year
with a short statement about the composition of the milks.
In 1932, 193 samples of milk were examined, of which one only proved to be adulterated. The average composition of the other samples compared with previous years is as follows:—
| Total | Solids | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sp. Gr. | Solids. | Fat. | not Fat. | |
| 1930 | 1031 | 12.2 | 3.59 | 8.61 |
| 1931 | 1031.4 | 12.2 | 3.50 | 8.70 |
| 1932 | 1031.3 | 12.2 | 3.57 | 8.63 |
Cream.—The average figures obtained for both loose and tinned creams are
again given so that the great disparity between the qualities may be seen. Only
25 samples were examined but the figures obtained for both the loose and tinned
samples are much the same as those obtained in previous years.
Loose Creams. Tinned Creams.
Average Fat = 4932 Average Fat = 2352
In no instance was the fat content of tinned creams notified in any way on the
label or container.
Coffee.—One informal sample was found to consist of 70.0% of chicory. A
formal sample taken from the same vendor contained 76.7% of chicory.
Tinned Peas.—13 samples of tinned peas were taken during the year. All
except one contained some negligible traces of dissolved tin. But this one had
2.5 grains of dissolved tin per lb., together with an appreciable amount of iron
and a small amount of zinc. As stated in the report made on the sample,
" Although it may not be possible to say that these amount are injurious to health
I am of opinion that they are certainly undesirable and may easily prove an irritant
to a sensitive digestive track."
Jam.— 33 samples of Jam were examined during 1932. Such of those as came
in their original jars and possessed the label of guarantee of The Food Manufacturers'
Federation were found to conform closely with the standards laid down.
These guaranteed products provide jams of greatly increased purity, quality, and
value as compared with most jams not guaranteed. Therefore it rests now with
the purchaser to protect himself by seeing that he asks for and obtains a guaranteed
article. It is to be hoped that in the not too distant future further steps may
be taken along the same lines and that finally jams may have the qualities in
full which correspond to those hopefully imaginative ideals usually held by the
purchaser.
Parrish's Food.—One sample was received from a private source. It was
suspected of being of abnormal composition but a detailed quantitative analysis
gave figures which corresponded almost exactly with the amount of constituents
mentioned on the label of the bottle.
Other Samples call for no detailed comment as in every instance the results
obtained by analysis were such that each one came up to the standard expressed or
implied peculiar to each kind.—(Signed) J. F. F. Rowland.