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
Barking 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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125
SECTION E.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
(i) MILK SUPPLY AND ICE-CREAM.
(a) Milk Supply.—There are no cowkeepers in the
district and we have only one dairy where milk is
handled or treated. The remaining 77 premises on
the register retail pre-packed supplies. In addition
there are 15 milk purveyors who occupy premises in
other districts, but retail in Barking:.
The following table sets out the results of the bacteriological examination of various samples, from which it will be seen that, out of a total of 66, three were found to be unsatisfactory :—
| Type of Sample. | Satisfactory. | Unsatisfactory. | Totals. |
|---|---|---|---|
| '' Sterilised " Milk | — | — | — |
| ''Pasteurised " Milk | 44 | — | 44 |
| Raw Milk | 19 | 3 | 22 |
| " Homogenised " Milk | — | — | — |
| Totals | 63 | 3 | 66 |
There were during the year 36 samples of milk
submitted to biological examination for the presence of
tubercle. One of the 36 samples was found to be
infected and the necessary action was taken.
The sample of milk found to contain tubercular
germs was taken from country farm supplies prior to
pasteurisation.
It is satisfactory to know that over 99 per cent. of
the milk supplied in Barking is pasteurised.