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 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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There is little monthly variation in the percentages of solids-not-fat
obtained, the highest figure—8.75 per cent.—occurring in October and the
lowest—8.59 per cent.—in May. The highest average figure for solids-not-fat
since 1921 has been 8.79 per cent., and this figure is slowly dropping, the lowest
average figure—8.65 per cent.—being reached this year.
Table F shows the number of samples of milk examined and the percentages of adulteration during the last ten years.
Table F.
| 1919. | 1920 | 1921. | 1922 | 1923. | 1924. | 1925. | 1926. | 1927. | 1928. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of samples | 665 | 858 | 824 | 838 | 837 | 895 | 825 | 809 | 854 | 923 |
| Percentage of adulteration | 8.6 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 4.1 |
In my first Annual Report I referred to the fact that good quality milks
are "adjusted" to what is considered to be a margin of safety as compared
with the legal standard, e.g., a sample of milk having a solids-not-fat content
of 8.80 per cent. would require 3.4 per cent. of added water to bring it down
to the legal minimum of 8.5 per cent.
It is interesting to compare the quality of the Stepney milk supply with
that obtained in other districts.
Table G.
| Month. | Number examined. | Fat per cent. | Solids-not- fat per cent. | Total Solids per cent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 3.80 | 8.67 | 12.47 |
| February | 79 | 3.70 | 8.60 | 12.30 |
| March | 84 | 3.53 | 8.58 | 12.11 |
| April | 58 | 3.52 | 8.54 | 12.06 |
| May | 62 | 3.51 | 8.62 | 12.13 |
| June | 73 | 3.41 | 8.68 | 12.09 |
| July | 90 | 3.56 | 8.66 | 12.22 |
| August | 86 | 3.54 | 8.62 | 12.16 |
| September | 72 | 3.76 | 8.68 | 12.44 |
| October | 98 | 3.88 | 8.75 | 12.63 |
| November | 76 | 3.92 | 8.73 | 12.65 |
| December | 66 | 3.86 | 8.66 | 12.52 |
| Whole Year | 923 | 3.67 | 8.65 | 12.32 |
| - |
It will be seen that although Stepney has a satisfactory average as regards
fat content, the milk supply compares unfavourably with that of other
districts as regards the average proportion of solids-not-fat.
These figures suggest that Stepney milk is toned down by the addition
of about 2 per cent. of water before it reaches the consumer, as the addition
of this quantity would reduce 8.83 per cent. to 8.65 per cent., this latter figure