London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bromley 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
This page requires JavaScript
45
mind from the public health standpoint that milk
pasteurised under licence is the greatest safeguard
against the spread of infectious disease, tuberculosis,
undulent fevers, scarlet fever, diphtheria, streptococcal
sore throats and other milk borne diseases. The food
value of the milk is not affected by pasteurisation as
carried out under licence.
Bacteriological Examinations.
Fifty-five samples of milk were submitted for
bacteriological examination, and the results shown in
the following table, which also includes the results oi samples taken on nine occasions at the request of the Ministry of Health from the producer holding licence for the production of "Certified" milk:—
| Samples. | T'otals. | Satisfactory. | Unsatis factory |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Grade A Pasteurised" milk | 3 | 3 | - |
| "Grade A (T.T.)" milk | 2 | 2 | - |
| "Pasteurised" milk | 11 | 10 | 1 |
| "Certified" milk | 16 | 16 | -- |
| Ordinary milk | 22 | 10 | 12 |
| Sterilised milk | 1 | 1 | - |
| Totals | 55 | 42 | 13 |
Nineteen samples of milk were tested for the presence
of tubercle bacilli, and after inoculation tests the
results were negative. In three instances the presence of
pus was detected. In each case the source of supply was
outside the district and the matter was taken up with
the producers and medical officers of health of the districts
concerned.
In the cases where the bacteriological counts did
not comply with the required standard, the matter was
taken up with the producers concerned and subsequently
remedied.
Bottles of milk are regularly examined on vehicles
prior to the delivery to the consumer, and in several
cases it was found necessary to advise dairymen to eliminate
dirt sediment. In every case the dairymen
co-operated with the Department and improvement has
been maintained.