96 REPORTS REPORTS. The Food-Supply of the United Kingdom.* THIS extremely interesting and important Report has been drawn up, at the request of the President of the Board of Trade, by a Committee of the Royal Society comprising A. D. Waller, M.D., F.R.S., Professor of Physiology in the University of London, Chairman : W. J. Ashley, Ph.D., Professor of Commerce in the University of Birmingham; A.W. Flux, M.A., Board of Trade; A. D. Hall, M.A., P.R.S., Development Commissioner; F. G. Hopkins, M.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P., . F.R.S., Professor of Bio-Chemistry in the University of Cambridge ; T. H. Middleton, C.B., Board of Agriculture and Fisheries; D. Noel Paton, M.D., F.R.C.P.E., F.R.S., Professor of Physiology in the University of Glasgow; W. H. Thompson, M.D , D.Sc., F.R.C.P.I., Professor of Physiology in the University of Dublin; T.B. Wood, M.A., Drapers' Professor of Agriculture in the University of Cambridge. It is full of data of a character which is 8;5 reliable its can be expected, consider- ing the short time a t the disposal of the Committee and the extreme urgency of the matters reported upon. The full Report should be in the hands of all chemists interested in problems connected with the relative composition of the more jmpor- tant food-stuffs, the quantities available prior to the War and the end of July, 1916, the possible methods of economy of the present supplies, and the economy in food which might be effected by the prohibition of brewing.Part I. deals with the food-supply during the period 1909-1913.The problem of dealing with the extent and character of the food-supply in normal times is partly statistical, partly physiological. The quantities of the several food materials are set forth in tables, which also show the proportions home-grown and imported. The estimates have been based on fairly reliable data., and the cases in which the figures are largely conjectural are few.On the assumption that the population dur- ing the period was 45.2 millions, the following digest shows the caloriest available. Government Paper (Cn. 8,621), price 4d., published by His Majesty's Stationery Office. t The calorie referred to in this Report is the quantity of heat required to raise a kgrm. of water lo C97 Cereals , . .. Meat .. .. Poultry and eggs, game and rabbits Fish .... Dairy produce (in- cluding lard and margarine) . . Fruit .. .. Vegetables a . . .. Sugar (5 n c 1 u d i n g cocoa and choco- late) . . .. Cottage and farm produce not in- cluded above . . Total . . Per head per day . . Per " man " per day , i REPORTS - A,mounts. Mt:tric Tons. 4:865,000 2 :, 685,000 33 1,000 848,400 5,231,800 1,271,000 5,482,000 1 :657,000 - - - - - - Protein.1 Fat. Metric Tons. ' Metric Tons. 549,000 356,000 42,000 91,000 199,000 9,000 120,000 5,000 67,000 1,438,000 Grammes. 87 113 63,000 799,000 3 1,000 17,000 686,000 14,000 10,000 18,000 13,000 1,651,000 Grammes. 100 130 hrbohydratc, Metric Tons. 3,628,000 - - - 258,000 222,000 1,031,000 1,572,000 551,000 7,262,000 -- Grammes. 440 571 Energy Value. Million Calories.17,712,000 8,890,000 46 1,000 53 1,000 8,253,000 1,077,000 4,8 12,000 6,633,000 2,655,000 51,024,000 Calories. 3,091 4,009 Of the total number of calories available-51,024,000 millions-Z9,731,000 millions represent 'imported food. From the physiological standpoint, the nutritive value of the several foods, the standard requirements of the normal adult as regards each of the constituents of food requisite for healthy activity, and the needs, in proportion to that standard, of women and children, have been taken into account.Since women and children consume less food than men, 100 " men, women, and children "= 77 units-that is t o say, " men." In the calculations the Committee have followed Atwaters' values, modified in accordance with the special characteristics of the British food-supply.The Committee are convinced that the dietary requirements of a nation engaged on active work cannot 'be satisfactorily met on a less supply in the food as pur- chased than 100 grms. protein, 100 grms. fat, 500 grms. carbohydrate, equal approxi- mately to 3,400 calories per " man " per day, a " man " being an average workman doing an average day's work.The Committee have adopted this as their minimum standard. It will be seen from the figures quoted above that the supply has more than met our requirements in the past. Calculated on the minimal physiological standard, there has been wasted or consumed in excess of requirements of proteins 11 to 14 per cent,, fats 25 to 30 per cent., and carbohydrates 10,to 14 per cent.98 MILITARY (4 million).REPORTS CIVIL (35.8 - 4=31-s million “ men ”). Part 11. of the Report deals with the food-supply a t the present period of the War, (July 29, 1916). The Committee has estimated the total population a t 46.5 millions (equivalent to 35.8 million “ men ’,), including our fighting forces at home and abroad and the refugees and prisoners in this country. The state of war involves the redistribution of food into (1) military and naval establishments, (2) civilian population.The following table is a comparison of the total amount of food available in metric tons per year, and the amount of food per “ man ” per day in grms. a t the present time and in the period 1909-1913: 113 130 571 1916 (population 46.5 million at 0.77 man value ; 35.8 million men ”).204,400 140 1,233,600 ; 106 262,800 180 1,388,200 I 120 730,000 500 6,532,000 563 4,009 , - - - _ -~ ~ Protein .. .. Fat .. .. .. Carbohydrates . . Calories . . .. ! 3:859 4,300 - Total. 1,438,000 1,65 1,000 7,262,000 .- I I ._____ I I The results show that on the pre-war basis of supply the food available for the civil populakion would be more than sufficient both as regards the supply of protein and of energy.THE SUPPLY OF FOOD AT PRESENT AVAILABLE. The Committee have considered information furnished to them by the Board of Trade and Board of Agriculture, with reference to the supplies of meat, wheat, fish, and sugar for the total population up to the present time These, taken together, show a small incrhase in food values during the year ending June, 1916, as compared with pre-war conditions.There is no evidence that the supplies of other foods have, in the aggregate, been less than in the period prior to the War. Under these con- ditions it would seem that the amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrate per “ man ” has been maintained at about the level shown in the table. The needs of our armies, the decreased yield of the harvest at home in 1916, and possible interference with our supplies from abroad, may reduce the supply in the future below this level.Up to the present the supply of food has provided a general margin of about 5 per cent. above the minimum necessary for proper nutrition, and rather more as regards the supply of energy, so that a reduction to this extent would still furnish amounts of the essential food constituents conforming to the standard adopted in Part I.of the Report. Should such a reduction occur, i t could be borne without serious injury to the community, but only on the condition that steps were taken to insure the equitable distribution of the available food throughout the populaticn.REPORTS 99 Protein. Home Production of Flour.Total. I Digestible. While the supply of food has, yxp to the present, been adequate for the support of the population, the rise in prices has accentuated the inequalities of distribution, which reduce the daily ration of many below the level of efficiency. Any curtail- ‘ment of supplies, even to a limited extent, would result in the poorer classes obtain- ing less than is needful for safety should distribution remain unorganised. The Committee, as physiologists, lay stress on the fact that in buying food the labouring population is buying energy-the power to do work.Increased cost of food (other things being equal) means increased cost of production. If the rising prices curtail for any class, of the community its accustomed supply of food, its out- put of work will, of necessity, be reduced.It is important to remember that a slight reduction of food below the necessary amount causes a large diminution in the working efficiency of the individual. In Part 111. the possible methods of economising the available food-supply are dealt with, and the Committee have considered suggestions for the increase of the food-supply of the nation.Here they have naturally limited themselves strictly to physiological considera- tions, without touching upon the important economic, social, and other questions which are involved. From this standpoint they are satisfied that the changes sug- gested would result in an economy of food without any significant dietetic disadvan- tages. The suggestjons are dealt with under the following headings: (1) A better re- covery of flour in milling; (2) an increased economy in meat production; (3) an increase in the protein available for human consumption by increasing the manu- facture of cheese, if need be, a t the expense of butter-making; (4) the use as food of materials a t present employed in brewing and distilling ; (5) the diversion of a certain quantity of material now used for stock-feedjng to human food.The Possibility of a Better Recovery of Flour in Milling.-Under the conditions which existed when the ]Report was written millers obtained on an average 70 per cent. of flour from cleaned wheat, the 30 per cent. of offal being sold for feeding stock. If the recovery oE flour be raised to 80 per cent., wholesome and palatable bread can still be baked.Such bread is, however, considerably less digestible than bread made from “ 70 per cent.” flour. The following figures show the gross gain in protein and calories available for human food which would result from the general adoption of the “ 80 per cent.” standard: Calories. Total. 1 Digestible. Milling Standard. Tons. 1 Tons. 1 Tons. I Millions. 4,775,000 573,000 464,000 I 17,376,000 I “ 80 per cent.I’ ‘ 70 per cent. ” .. .. Gain . . .. Millions. 15,117,OOO - I I I I 1 - (2) 4,178,000 480,000 427,000 15,203,000 13,987,000 597,000 1 93,000 1 37,000 1 2,173,000 1 1,130,000 - I I I 1100 REPORTS The gains of total protein and calories are large, but when corrected for digesti- bility considerably less than half the total gain of protein and about half the total gain of calories are available for the actual nutrition of the human body.A further correction is necessary for the decrease in production of pig meat due to the removal of wheat offals from the market. The corrected figures for protein and calories representing the net gain for human consumption which might result from raising the milling standard from “ 70 to 80 per cent. ” appears to be- Digestible protein .. .. .. . . 31,000 metric tons. Digestible calories . . .. .. . . 816,000 millions. Or, per “ man ” per day for a population of 36 million “ men,’’ 2-36 grms. protein and 66 calories. Possibility of More Economical Meat Production.--Tn discussing this matter the Committee employ the convenient term “ starch equivalent ” for expressing the relative nutritive values of fodders for fattening.For example, 100 lbs. of the following fodders are equivalent respectively to the following weights of starch : Medium hay, 31 lbs.; oat-straw, 17 lbs.; swede turnips, 7.5 lbs.; oats, 60 lbs.; linseed cake, 76 Ibs.; barley offals, 65 lbs. By means of these and similar figures for other fodders, it is possible to calculate the starch equivalent of any mixed diet.The following data make it possible to estimate the saving in starch equivalent which might result from the general production of beef by the slaughter of cattle when seventeen months old (“ baby beef ”) in place of the present general practice of slaughtering when two and a half years old : At 17 months 4.5 lbs. starch equivalent should produce 1 lb.live weight. At30months 7.0 ,, ,, > 3 J i ,, 1 ,, live weight. In the five years before the War the average annual home production of beef Starch equivalent required to produce this a t 2+ years-9,000,000 tons. The general production of “ baby ” beef would therefore set free about 3,000,000 tons of starch equivalent. This starch equivalent would be in the form of hay, straw, roots, grass, and oil-seed cakes, and would include very little wheat, oats, barley, maize, or other foods suitable for human consumption.It might be used for the production of a further supply of home-produced ‘‘ baby ” beef, of which it would be capable of producing about 375,000 tons, which would yield for human consumption about 55,000 tons of protein and 1,000,000 million calories, or per “ man ” of a population of 36 million ‘‘ men,” 4.17 grms, of protein and 76 calories.“ Baby ” beef will not be so fat as steer two and a half years old, but the protein value will be much the same in both cases. It appears likely, therefore, that the calculated increase in the supply of protein might be realised. An increase in calories, however, is very problematical.The universal production of “ baby ” beef in place of steer beef is not immediately practicable. It would require much organi- or 8.0 ,, ,, Y Y 9, ,, 1 ,, beef. or 12.0 ,, ,, Y , Y , ,, 1 ,, beef. was 750,000 metric tons. J 7 3 , > I J ? ,, at 17 months-6,000,000 tons,REPORTS 101 sation, especially in the care, purchase, and distribution of suitable calves, and in many distric t8 would also involve considerable alterations in the system of farming.Considerable economies mighf also be effected by lessening the overfeeding of Oxen during the winter months. It is estimated that this loss works out at a, loss of 64,000 tons of starch equivalent, which if properly used might produce some 8,000 tons more beef. A further economy lvould result from discontinuing the fattenkg process as soon as there is no longer an appreciable increase in live weight.Considerable economy in fodder can be effected by the kind of animal to which it is fed. All animals are by no means equally good “ converters,” 8s is shown by the following figures : Ib. Starch equivalent required to f 1,000 Calories in the in Irodder ) 1 Form of- 2.9 .. .* . .. . . milk from good cow. 3.0 . . .. .. . . pig meat. 4.7 . . .. .. . . veal. 4.7 . . .. .. . . milk from bad cow. 5.3 . . .. .. . . mutton. 7.0 . . .. .. .. baby ” beef. 9.0 . . .. .. . . steer beef. 7.0 . . .. .. * . yF* These figures justify tlhe agricultural policy of most Continental countries, which rely on dairy products, pig meat, and veal for a very large proportion of their supply of animal food.A given supply of fodder is capable of producing a far greater amount of protein and calories in these forms thanif it is used to a very large extent, as in Great Britain, for the production of mutton and beef. The Possible Increase in the National Food-Xupply which might Result from a General Practice of making Cheese in Place of.Butter.--Tt is possible that the general adoption of cheese-making in place of butter-making might adversely affect the number of calves reared in the country, and in view of the possible development of “ baby ” beef production this is undesirable. Calves can be reared satisfactorily if started on whole milk for the first five or six weeks, during which time each calf would consume 50 galloner.Of the ZQ million calves in the United Kingdom, a con- siderable proportion suck their mothers, and are, therefore, not affected by the abolition of skim milk ; but in order to allow for expansion of the calf-rearing industry, the calculation is based on the whole 24 million calves a t present reared. To pro- vide 50 gallons of whole milk for each of these calves would call for 125 million gallons. Deducting this from the 625 million gallons at present used for butter, 500 million gallons would remain for cheese-making.* Assuming that Z& gallons of milk are required to make 1 lb.of butter, whilst 1 gallon of milk makes I lb. of cheese, 500 million gallons of .milk ‘make 228,000 tons of cheese which would contain 57,000 tons protein.The present yield of home-made butter contains 1,000 tons protein. The gain of protein would therefore be 56,000 tons. * In the original, tables are given showing the quantities of milk, etc,102 REPORTS The starch equivalent of whey is less than the starch equivalent of separated milk by 2 lbs. per 10 gallons. On 500 million gallons of milk made into cheese instiead of butter, this represents a loss of 45,000 tons of starch equivalent.Assuming that separated milk and whey are both used for pig-feeding, and that 44 lbs. starch equiva- lent give 1 lb. of pig, this represents a deficit of 10,000 tons of pig, or 8,000 tons of pig meat, containing 800 tons of protein. The net gain which might be redised by the general adoption of cheese-making in place of butter-making is, therefore, 55,000 tons of protein, or, per " man," 4.2 grms.per day. The question of energy value is not considered, since both butter and cheese contain practically the same proportion of the fat of the milk, and the change from butter-making to cheese-making will not greatly affect the number of calories avail- able for human food. The Committee dwell at Bome length with the economy in food which might be effected by the prohibition of brewing.It is pointed out that a complete statement of the case for and against any proposal to divert materials used in brewing to any other purpose would necessarily have to include a consideration of the cost of pro- duction (labour and fuel) in each case. Neglecting these factors and confining them- selves to the quantities of food and of energy available for human use, the conclusions arrived at may be summarised as follows: The beer, together with the milk obtained indbectly from the by-products of the brewery, contain between 28 per cent.and 59 per cent. of the energy, and less than 21 per cent. of the protein, of the original material ; whereas if these materials were not brewed, but utilised in the theoretically best possible manner, about 71 per cent.of the energy, and 68 per cent. of the protein would be recovered aa human food. This very high recovery is possible only if the use of the barley and other materials as food for live stock is equally prohibited. If, as would otherwise be the case, they were converted into meat, only 15 per cent.of the energy and 17 per cent. of the protein would be realised as human food. In discussing the alcohol question the Committee are of the opinion that alcohol as a source of maintenance and of work-power for the nation cannot, as. in the case of a normal food-stuff, be logically measured by its gross calorific value. EDITOR. Report of the Government Chemist upon the Work of the Government Laboratory for the Year ended March 31,1916, with Appendices.(Issued as a Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 8394, pp. 1-22.)-The total number of samples examined during the year was 239,706, as oompared with 230,404 in the previous year; in addition to the above number, 144,186 samples were examined at the chemical stations in different parts of the United Kingdom. The samples of foods analysed in connection with the supply of the Expeditionary Forces alone numbered 8,901, and a large amount of work was carried out in dealing with questions relat*g to contraband trading with the enemy.The chemical work of the following departments and other public bodies is now performed wholly or in part in the Government Laboratory: Board of Customs and Excise, Admiralty, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland,REPORTS 103 Colonial Ofice, Crown Agents for the Colonies, Foreign office, aological survey, Home Office, India ofice, Public Record Office, Stationery Ofice, Board of Trade, Trinity House, war Office, war Trade Department, Office of Woods and Forests, Office of Works (London and Dublin.) CUSTOMS AND ExcIsE.-Beer.-The total number of samples examined in con- nection with the beer duty was 44,551.The quantity of beer imported is relatively small, but drawback is allowed on exported beer whether or not it has been manu- factured in this country; many samples were examined to check the claims made by the exporters.Materials used in Brewing.-Of 316 samples examined, 219 were samples of malt, corn, brewing sugars, and brewers’ grains, and 97 were samples of yeast foods and miscellaneous substances. Three hundred and fifty samples of finished beer from brewers’ premises were examined for saccharin, saponin, and other prohibited ingredien.ts, but, except occasional traces of arsenic, nothing of a deleterious or illegal character was found to be present.Forts or Beer in the Un- $mished Conditiow-The number of samples examined was 11,198 the original gravity was declared by the brewers a t less than the true gravity in 2,931 cases, the percentage of underdeclarations being 33.3 per cent. The increase, compared with previous years, in the number of cases in which worts were found to be under-declared is probably largely due to the fact that the new original gravity table legalised by the Finance Act, 1914, permits a more accurate determination of the true original gravity of partly fermented worts than was possible with the table formerly in use. Under the provisions of this Act repayment or remission of duty can be claimed by brewers on all beer which has been returned to them by customers as unfit for con- sumption, whilst formerly repayments of duty were made only in special cases where spoiled beer had never left the brewery premises.Beer as RetaiZed-The beer was found to have been diluted in 152 cases out of 4,964 samples taken from the premises of publicans and other retailers; some of the samples were diluted to the extent of 10 to 14 gallons of water per barrel of 36 gallons. Eerb Beers, Beer Substitutes, and Other Temperance Beverages.-The percentage of alcohol was estimated in 191 samples : 144 contained less than 2 per cent. of proof spirit, 31 contained between 2 and 3 per cent., 7 between 3 and 4 per cent., and 5 from 4 to 7 per cent.Imported Beer.- The number of samples examined was 4,202.Twelve samples, described on importa- tion 8s “ malt extract,” were found to correspond with beer, and were charged duty accordingly. Examination of Beer and Brewing Materials for Arsenic.-Of the 256 samples of malt and sugar tested, none contained arsenic in excess of the limits suggested by the Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning. Four samples of beer, out of a total of 1,418, contained more than grain of arsenious oxide per gallon, the highest proportion found being gE grain per gallon.Two cases of excess were detected in the 123 samples of miscellaneous samples examined, the largest amount of arsenic found being 2T grain per gallon. The substances in which the amount of arsenic exceeded the limit were not allowed to be used in brewing.Cider and Perry.-Some of these beverages, sold under fancy names, are mixtures of real cider with sugar solution; whilst many non-alcoholic ciders, so called, are entirely free from fermented apple-juj ce, and are simply aerated and flavoured sugar solutions. The use of any name for such beverages which suggests that they consist of fer-104 REPORTS mented apple-juice is an infringement of the Merchandise Marks Act, and is also harmful to the interests of makers of genuine cider.Of 123 samples of imported cider examined, 3 were factitious; of 7 samples purchased as cider by the Customs and Excise officers, 1 wm commercial cider containing 4-6per cent. of proof spirit, and 6 were prepared liquids which contained no apple-juice. Wash, Past-Press- ings, &c.-During the year, 3,029 samples of fermented wash and other liquids pro- duced in the manufacture of spirits were amlysed; the declared gravity of the wash was found to be understated in 15 cases.PweZ Oil.-Only 1 sample out of 18 examined contained more than the permitted proportion (15 per cent.) of proof spirit. IZZicitEy-distilled Spirits.-Four samples of spirits suspected to have been obtained by illicit distillation were examined; proof that the spirits had in fact been so produced was supplied by the results of the analysis in three cases, and legal proceedings followed.Liqueur Chocokttes.-The proportion of proof spirit contained in 24 samples of these articles ranged from 0-7 40 21-9 per cent., and legal proceed- ings were instituted in 4 cases.In 606 samples of imported liqueur chocolates, the average quantity of proof spirit was 3.1 per cent., the highest being 14-7 per cent. Britkh Spirituow Preproctiom exported.-In addition to 3,081 samples of liniments, hairwashes, etc., which were tested for the presence of methylated spirit, 19,337, samples of medicinal spirits, tinctures, perfumes, extracts, infusions, etc., were examined as to their character and alcoholic strength, in order to check the ex- porters’ claims for drawback; no evidence of the illicit use of methylated spirit was detected, but in 763 cases the declared spirit strength was overstated..MetiayZ@ed Spirit.-Thirteen hundred and fifty-three samples of wood naphtha and of mineral naphtha, intended for use in the preparation of methylated spirit, were approved.Twenty-one samples of petroleum spirit, used in admixture with methylated spirit in the manufacture of felt bts, were also approved; 268 samples of still residues, 12 samples of mineralised methylated spirit, 28 samples of duty-free alcohol, and 83 samples of specially denatured alcohol and denaturing substances, were examined. Wiw.-In connection with the aaEessment of various duties, 92,075 samples of im- ported wines were examined as to their alcoholic strength.Eight samples of medi- cated wines, 35 of British wines or sweets, and 26 of foreign wines, were also examined in connection with the duty on wine and the liability to payment of a licence duty for its mle. Tobcscco.--During the year the percentage of moisture was estimated in 13,622 samples of manufrtctured tobacco, and the percentage of oil in 2,308 samples.The number of certificates issued in connection with return of duty on exported tobacco and snuff was 81,889, an increase of 48,179 over the number for the previous year; this increase was due to the despatch of tobacco for the use of the British Expeditionary Forces. By regulations bclsed upon the provisions of the Finance Act, 1904, manufacturers are allowed drawback on offal tobacco, fixed, as in the case of manufactured tobacco, on the basis of a moisture content of 14 per cent., with a corresponding increase or decrease in the amount of drawback according as the pro- portion of moisture is above or below this standard, and subject to the same regula- tions as to the amounts of inorganic matter and sand except in the case of “ offal ” tobacco falling under the head of “ snuff .” In this case there is no legal limit for the amount of sand which may be present, but drawback is paid without deductionREPORTS 105 only when the total inorganic matter (including sand) does not exceed 22 per cent.calculated on the dry tobacco.The samples of offal tobacco examined numbered 46,135; other samples comprised 338 of tobacco leaf from the stocks of licensed manufacfurers, 1,498 of unmanufactured tobacco (including 199 samples of tobacco grown in the United Kingdom), and 1,145 samples of miscellaneous substances. Sugar, Glucose, Saccharin ,-The number of samples of sugar and articles containing sugar examined for assessment of duty or drawback was 24,682, including 21 samples of sugar, molasses, and beetroot, from the British beetroot sugar factory at Cantley.The imported articles containing sugar consisted of biscuits, cakes, ketchup, chutney, confectionery, condensed milk, crystallised fruit, desiccated coconut, drugs, fruit- pulp, infants’ and invalids’ foods, lozenges, invert sugar, jam, milk-powder, pickles, soy, egg yolk, gelatin, glue, honey, manna, meat extracts, parchment paper, printers’ roller composition, and tanning extracts.Honey, although not liable to duty when genuine, is frequently adulterated with invert sugar, and duty is charged accord- ingly. Glucose manufactured in this country is subject to an Excise duty, and 941 samples were examined in all.Saccharin was detected in 38 samples out of 309 samples of condiments, dentrifices, and medical preparations. Tea.-Of 15,052 samples of tea entering the country, 1,616 were condemned as containing sand or other foreign matter, and 84 samples were reported as being unfit for human con- sumption. The quantity rejected, 114,844 pounds, was insignificant in relation to the total amount of tea, imported-namely, 420 millions of pounds.Coffee and Coffee Substitutes.-Three samples out of 1,745 submitted for exportation were found t o contain chicory, and drawback was disallowed in these cases. Cocoa and Choco- late.-The duty is calcuhted on the actual proportion of dutiable ingredients (cocoa, sugar, and cocoa fat), and drawback is allowed on the same basis; 3,112 samples of cocoa and its preparations were examined during the year for this purpose.Matches. -The presence of white phosphorus was not detected in any of the 375 samples examined. Medicinh.--Forty-two samples of pills, powders, plasters , herbs, oint- ments, lotions, tonics, corn cures, etc.,, were analysed to determine their compliance with the requirements of the Medicine Stamp Acts.ADMIRALTY.-The work for this department consisted in the examination of food substances and of metals, soaps, pottery glazes, oils, etc. Nearly aIl the samples of dairy produce were genuine and of good quality, but some samples of condensed milk did not conform to the specified standard, and many butters tendered to naval hospitals contained boron preservative contrary to the specification.BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.-TWO thousand four hundred and three samples were examined for this Board, including those for the Board of Agri- culture for Scotland and the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. Imported Milk: and Cream.-Fifty-six samples of condensed milk and 26 of condensed skimmed milk were analysed; the percentage of fat in the former samples ranged from 8.1 to 11.3, and all the samples were free from preservatives.Of the 23 samples of dried milk examined, 9 were whole-milk powders, and 14 had been prepared from skimmed or separated milk. No fresh milk was imported during the year; 18 samples of imported sterilised milk conformed with the requirements of the Sale of Milk Regubtions.Fifteen samples of imported cream were taken; the fat106 REPORTS in the " churn " cream varied from 48.3 to 52.6 per cent., and in the " tinned " cream from 23.7 to 34.4 per cent. All the samples of churn cream were preserved with boric acid, the largest amount found in any sample being 0.45 per cent. Imported Butter.-There was no evidence of the presence of foreign fats in any of the 1,037 samples analysed ; 402 of the samples contained boron preservative, 42 added colour- ing matter, and 6 contained more than 16 per cent.of water. The Reichert-Wollny value fell below 24 in 42 cases; of these, 5 gave values below 22,13 between 22 and 23, and 24 between 23 and 24. Imported Mctrgari?ze.-All the 524 samples examined contained less than 10 per cent. of butter fat, but water in excess of the legal limit was found in eight cases.Imported Cheese.-Sixty-eight samples were examined; all were free from foreign fat, but several had been prepared from skimmed milk. Samples of Produce taken under the Butter and Margarine Act.-The inspectors of the Board submitted 302 samples of butter and 5 samples of margarine for analysis; 45 of the butters contained an excess of water, and 5 of the samples consisted of mixtures of butter and margarine.Sheep Dips.-Thirty-one samples of sheep dips were received for examination as regards their fitness for inclusion in the official schedule of efficient dips; 9 of the samples were satisfactory, 12 were deficient in active ingredients at the dilution'submitted by the makers, and in 10 cases the formuke required modification.Analyses of 12 samples of approved dips purchased in different parts of the country showed that 3 had not been prepared according to the formulae previously submitted and approved. The miscellaneous samples examined for the Board included various waste materials as to their value as fertilisers; oysters, cockles, and mussels, as to their food value; nut-meal middlings, basic slags, ground felspar, and soils.Questions submitted by the Board for Repod.-The following amongst many other matters were submitted: The adulteration of dried grains; the supply of potash and the value of various refuse materials as sources of potash; the solubility of the phosphates in basic slags produced by modifications in the process of steel manufacture; the composition of cheese; the Sale of Milk Regulations and analysts' certificates issued in connection therewith; the utilisation of various by-products as feeding-stuffs or as fertilisers.FISHERIES Dms1oN.-Twenty-five samples of river-water, believed to have been polluted and to have caused injury to fish, were examined; two sea-trout taken from one of the streams were found to contain traces of copper, lead, and zinc.Esti- mations of salinities were made in 2,337 samples of sea-water for the Permanent International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. CENTRAL CONTROL BOARD (LIQUOR TRAFFIC) .-Forty-three samples of beer and whisky were analysed for the Board, and assistance was given in connection with various technical questions.CROWN AGENTS FOR THE CoLomEs.-The samples analysed for this department comprised 82 of drugs and pharmaceutical preparations taken mainly from contract supplies, and 101 of foods for troops serving in East and West Africa. HOME OFFICE.-AS in previous years, the dangers connected with the use of lead, especially in glazes and enamels, continue to receive a large amount of atten- tion.The samples of glazes examined were generally found to comply with the department's requirements. With regard to the solubility of certain lead glazes inREPORTS 107 dilute acid, it was found, in 19 cases where lead-poisoning had occurred, that almost all the lead was soluble in hydrochloric acid of the strength found in the gastric juice. Samples of stores supplied on contract to the Prison Commissioners, and certain fire-extinguishing powders, which were stated to be effective for use in cases of fire due to incendiary shells, were also examined.The varnish on some " gaines " used in shells was analysed to ascertain whether it contained anything likely to be' injurious t o workpeople. INLAND REvENUE.-About 140 samples of inks, experimental stamps and paper were examined; for the Estate Duty Branch some clays were analysed in connection with their liability to Mineral Rights Duty.LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD .--Preservatives in Pood.-All the samples of milk and cream taken under the Food and Drugs Acts and the Public Health Acts, with the exception of a limited number of samples of churn cream which contained boric acid, were free from preservatives.No preservative other than boric acid was found in the butter samples. The butters imported from Russia, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, were free from boric acid. Old Age Pensions Act.-One document was submitted for examinatiort on account of its suspicious appearance. POST OFFIcE.-The articles analysed consisted of paper, pigments, gum, obliterat- ing fluids, materials used in the telegraph and telephone services (such as tin, lead, spelter, and amalgamated zinc rods) , coal, soap, cycle tyres, sealing-wax, copper sulphate, waterproof coatis, white and red lead, and calcium carbide.Samples of air and of drinking-water were analysed on behalf of the Medical Department of the Post Office, and the services of the laboratory were also required in numerous cases of suspected fraud in connection with the use of stamps.BOARD OF TRADE.-.L~~~ and Lemon Jzcice for the Mercantile Marilze.-Of the 2,069 samples of raw lime-juice examined, only 4 were rejected as unsuitable, whilst 10 samples of lemon-juice out of a total of 131 were found to be unfit for use. Thirty-four samples of rum were approved.Three hundred and seven samples of fortified lime and lemon juice (containing rum) were examined, and 16 were rejected. Several samples of approved disinfectants were submitted for analysis, and questions in connection with the export of materials likely to be of use t o the enemy were dealt with. WAR DEPARTMENT.--The 8,901 aamples of food-supplies examined included army biscuits, flour, bread, pearl barley, oatmeal, arrowroot, sago, tapioca, desiccated potatoes and other vegetables, milk, cocoa, jam, meat extract, pepper, mustard, beer, tinned meats, butter, cheese, etc.The contractors' deliveries were also super- vised. One sample of gold lace, 21 samples of anzsthetics, and samples of water from military stations, were analysed. WAR TRADE DEPARTMENT.-A licence is required to export goods falling under any prohibition order, an.d in doubtful cases reference is made and samples are submitted to the Government Laboratory for the purpose of advising whether they are subject to restriction.During the year, 1,681 references of this kind were dealt with. OFFICE OF WORKS, LoNDON.-The samples examined consisted largely of materials supplied by con.tractors for the public service, and included oils, soaps,108 REPORTS paints, varnishes, disinfectants, and rubber ; samples of water from various public buildings were also analysed.OFFICE OF WORKS, DuBm.-samp~es of water were analysed, and some anthra- cite coals were examined for calorific value and quality. SALE OF POOD AND DRUGS AcTs.-&mn~ntGtion of Samples rejerred by Magistrates under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts of 1875 and 1899.-Seventy-five samples wer8 received, consisting of 64 samples of milk, 5 of butter, 2 of rum, 1 each of cream, whisky, coffee, and ipecacuanha wine.The results of the analyses differed from those of the public analyst in 10 out of the 70 cases in which certificates were issued; the disagreements in respect of the milk samples were 7 out of 59. The following are the particulars of some of the more important cases: Butter.--In 3 cases the butter was found to contain excess water, and in 1 case boric acid, as alleged by the public analyst; in the remaining case there was no evidence of the presence of boric acid as stated. Whisky and Rum.-In these cases the samples were alleged to be below the statutory limit of strength, and the results obtained confirmed those of the public analyst except as regards one of the samples of rum. The ipecacuanha wine was alleged to be deficient in alkaloids, but the result of the analysis did not confirm the conclusions of the public analyst; in the case of the samples of coffee alleged to contain chicory, and cream alleged to contain excess boric acid, the findings of the public analyst were confirmed. Milk.-In the 59 cases in which cert'ificates were issued, the charges were as follows: I n 21 cases, added water; 22, abstraction of fat; 8, added water and abstraction of fat; 3, presence of formalin or mystin; 1, presence of colouring matter and abstraction of fat ; 4, presence of dirt. FERTILISERS AND FEEDING-STUFFS ACT.-The number of samples received was 44, consisting of 9 fertilisers and 35 feeding-stuffs. The fertilisers comprised super- phosphate, basic slag, bone meal, and potato manures; they were deficient in phosphates or nitrogen. The feeding-stuff a examined consisted of feeding meals and cakes, milling by-products, and poultry foods. Several of the meals were deficient in oil or albuminoids, and in some cases the sample contained a considerable proportion of substances unsuitable for feeding purposes. The latter included offences connected with the Post Office, War Trade Department, Food and Drugs Adulteration, Old Age Pensions, Liquor Control Regulations, and the various Revenue Acts. Details as to the number of analyses made and materials examined during the Members of the staff gave evidence in legal proceedings in 25 cases. year are given in the appendices to the Report. w. P. s.