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
Woolwich 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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85
Mr. Amphlett Williams makes the following observations on his analyses during
the year:—
"Adulterated Samples.—The percentages of samples which were reported as
adulterated, not up to standard or improperly labelled, during the last four years
are given below:—
1934 1935 1936 1937
Percentage adulterated 3.8 6.6 5.2 9.1
These percentages are rather higher than the average of the other Metropolitan
Boroughs, but the very marked increase in 1937, need not cause any great
anxiety; it is largely influenced by the number of samples of canned sild taken
of one particular brand which were contaminated with tin, and is, therefore, not
fairly representative of the bulk of the food sold in this Borough. If the samples
submitted from this brand of canned sild are omitted from the totals, the remaining
adulterated samples amount to 6.6 per cent, for 1937.
Composition of Milks.—The average percentages of fat and of solids-not-fat
found in the samples of milk analysed during the past four years are given below;
the averages have been calculated for each quarter as well as for the whole
year, and thus show the regular seasonable variations in the quality of the milk.
All the samples analysed have been included excepting those definitely adulterated,
of which particulars will be found elsewhere.
| Quarter. | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January—March | 3.52 | 3.51 | 3.60 | 3.56 |
| April—June | 3.41 | 3.50 | 3.43 | 3.41 |
| July—September | 3.53 | 3.59 | 3.56 | 3.45 |
| October—December | 3.69 | 3.92 | 3.81 | 3.76 |
| Whole Year | 3.54 | 3.59 | 3.59 | 3.56 |
| 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | |
| January—March | 8.80 | 8.85 | 8.76 | 8.70 |
| April—J une | 8.86 | 8.85 | 8.78 | 8.68 |
| July—September | 8.69 | 8.67 | 8.70 | 8.61 |
| October—December | 8.97 | 8.86 | 8.81 | 8.79 |
| Whole Year | 8.83 | 8.81 | 8.77 | 8.71 |
The results are typical of the milk supply in the Metropolitan area and show
that a satisfactory standard, considerably above the minimum of the Sale of
Milk Regulations, 1901, has been maintained in Woolwich.
A perceptible fall in the average percentage of solids-not-fat is, however,
occurring and a larger number of "doubtful" milks was noticed this year.