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
Hammersmith 1925
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith]
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50
Milk.—During the year 355 samples of milk were examined,
and of these, 316 were reported as genuine, 33 as inferior,
and 6 as adulterated. The following Table shows the nature
and extent of the adulteration:—
TABLE III.
| No. | Adulteration Certified. | Penalties Imposed. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fat abstracted 27 per cent. | Summons dismissed—warranty proved. |
| 2 | „ „14 „ „ | „ „ „ „ |
| 3 | „ „9 „ „ | „ „ „ „ |
| 4 | „ „6 „ „ | £1 1s. 0d. costs. |
| 5 | Added Water 2 „ „ | No prosecution—adulteration too small. |
| 6 | 2 „ „ „ „ | |
| The percentage of adulteration in the case of milk is 1.7 as compared with 5.0 last year. | ||
The following Table gives the average composition of the milk calculated on the total number of samples taken in the Borough during the four quarters of the year:—
TABLE IV.
| Fat. | Non-fatty Solids. | Water. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | |
| Quarter ending March 31st | 3.60 | 8.84 | 87.56 |
| „ „ June 30th | 3.54 | 8.88 | 87.58 |
| „ „ Sept. 30th | 3.65 | 8.90 | 87.45 |
| „ ,, Dec. 31st | 3.86 | 9.15 | 86.99 |
| Average for the year | 3.66 | 8.94 | 87.40 |
Condensed Milk.—Sixteen condensed milks were specially
examined with a view to ascertaining whether or no they
complied with the requirements of the new Regulations. They
were all found to fulfill these requirements, both in respect
of the amount of fat and non-fatty solids present and in
regard to the composition of the milk yielded on dilution to
the extent indicated on the labels of the tins.
Butter and Margarine.—Seventy-four samples of butter
were analysed, and of these, 1 was inferior and 1 adulterated.
The inferior butter contained the maximum allowance of
water—16 per cent.—whilst the adulterated sample contained
0.4 per cent. in excess of this limit. In no case was the
limit for boron preservative exceeded.