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fresh milks were adulterated with respectively, 12,
13, and 30 per cent. of water, whilst 7 of them had
under 5 per cent. of added water The condensed
milks have a uniformity of composition which would
be simply impossible, if the standard of Public
Analysts were not according to knowledge. There
is, indeed, a uniformity in the abstraction of butter,
which proves what an art the manufacture has become.
And so, also, with the dilution of milk.
When Public Analysts are attacked for assuming a
certain standard, it seems to be forgotten what large
numbers of milk vendors escape prosecution, because
the quantity of water added is beneath the
notice of the Vestry. Thus, this quarter, twenty
eight per cent. of the milk is adulterated, but no
case is brought before the magistrates on account of
the small quantity of water added. Milkmen are
known to have added 10 per cent. of water, and to
have rejoiced that they have not been found out, but
they forget, when it suits them, that our standard
has been framed to admit the possibility of a
naturally poor milk.
For the credit of many of the large vendors
I would mention that some of their milks, sold in
Camberwell, are excellent, and considerably above
our standard, as indeed they ought to be.