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
Stepney 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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71
The average composition of all the samples of milk analysed, for each
month of the year, is shown in table G.
Table G.
| Month. | Numbered examined. | Fat per cent. | Solids-not fat per cent. | Total Solids per cent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71 | 3.68 | 8.64 | 12.32 |
| February | 68 | 3.63 | 8.69 | 12.32 |
| March | 94 | 3.57 | 8.69 | 12.26 |
| April | 57 | 3.53 | 8.66 | 12.19 |
| May | 78 | 3.48 | 8.68 | 12.16 |
| June | 80 | 3.37 | 8.79 | 12.16 |
| July | 92 | 3.59 | 8.67 | 12.26 |
| August | - | — | — | — |
| September | 69 | 3.72 | 8.81 | 12.53 |
| October | 78 | 3.77 | 8.76 | 12.53 |
| November | 76 | 3.90 | 8.78 | 12.68 |
| December | 62 | 3.83 | 8.76 | 12.59 |
| — |
The figures representing the percentage of fat obtained throughout the
year are satisfactory. There is a gradual decrease from 3.08 per cent, of fat
in January to the lowest figure, 3.37 per cent., recorded in June; a steady
increase follows until the highest figure is reached in November, when the
percentage of fat begins to fall slightly in the final month.
There is very little variation in the percentages of solids-not-fat, the
highest figure occurring in September, and the lowest—8.64 per cent.—in
January. This latter figure follows the low average—8.54 percent.— obtained
in December, 1924.
The average quality of the milk supply is maintained, the figures for the
year closely resembling those obtained in previous years.
Table H. shows the extent of the adulteration and the action taken in
each case.