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
Shoreditch 1904
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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subjoined table are shown the numbers of samples of milk taken during the four quarters of the year and the numbers and percentages of the samples found not to be genuine:—
| Quarter of the year. | Number of Samples. | Number not genuine. | Percentage not genuine. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st. | 119 | 30 | 25.2% | |
| 2nd. | 81 | 22 | 27.1% | |
| 3rd | 73 | 23 | 31.5% | |
| 92 | 11 | 11.9% |
The percentage of adulteration was highest in the third and lowest in the fourth
quarter.
In 45 of the milk samples water was found to have been added. In 21 instances
the amount was over and in 24 it was under five per cent. In 22 of the samples fat had
been abstracted, the amount being over 5 per cent in seventeen and under in five
instances. In 14 samples both fat had been abstracted and water added. In the
remaining samples returned as adulterated preservatives had been added. In several
instances in addition to adulteration with water or abstraction of fat samples were found
to contain traces of boric acid, and in one instance formic aldehyde. Altogether 10
of the samples of milk contained added preservatives, and in two instances traces of
artificial colouring matter were also present-
Legal proceedings were instituted in 39, or slightly over 45 per cent of the cases
of milk adulteration. In 32 convictions were obtained. In 5 the summonses were
withdrawn on account of the production of warranties. In 2 instances the summonses
were dismissed. In 1 the defendant was able to convince the Magistrate that a sample
of milk showing on analysis 6 per cent of abstraction of fat had not been tampered with
and in the other that there had been a disclosure so that the purchaser was not
prejudiced.
In the remainder of the cases in which analysis showed that the milk had been
tampered with it was not deemed wise to prosecute as the percentage of abstraction of
fat or addition of water did not exceed five per cent. A good average milk will permit
of the addition of from 6 to 10 per cent of water without exceeding the standard of the
Board of Agriculture by more than 4 or 5 per cent., the standard, therefore, is not without
its value to those who make a practice of adding water to milk.
In the cases in which convictions were obtained the penalties for milk adulteration
(excluding costs) amounted to £50 10s. Od.averaging 6 per cent of the maximum penalties
to which the defendants were liable as compared with 8 per cent in 1903, and 13.5 per