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
Malden and Coombe 1959
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Malden & Coombe]
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26.
The difference between a dealer's and a supplementary licence is
that, if a dairyman has premises in a local government area where he
retails milk he is issued with a dealer's licence. Should he retail milk
in another area he must obtain a supplementary licence from the Council of
that area.
DETAILS OF MILK TESTING
| CLASS OF MILK | NUMBER OF SAMPLES TESTED | APPROPRIATE TESTS | NUMBER OF SAMPLES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PASSED | FAILED | |||
| Pasteurised | 41 | Phosphatase | 40 | 1 |
| Methylene blue | 41 | - | ||
| Sterilised | 6 | Turbidity | 6 | - |
| Tuberculin tested (Pasteurised) | 18 | Phosphatase | 18 | - |
| Methylene blue | 18 | - | ||
The purpose of the phosphatase and methylene blue tests is to
determine respectively whether or not the milk has been adequately heat
treated and whether it is of good keeping quality.
The turbidity test for sterilised milk is to determine whether or
not the milk has been adequately sterilised.
The greater importance must be attached to the phosphatase test
as correct heat treatment or pasteurisation reasonably ensures that ell
pathogenic organisms have been eliminated.
FOOD
There are no slaughter houses or knackers' yards in the Borough.
The following table lists the food premises in the district by
type of business.