摘要:

THE ANALYST. 119 ERRATA.-P. 98. In the last paragraph of Mr. Allen’s paper on Alcohol in Ether and Chloroform, for “ deducted ” read ‘( deduced.”

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN877020119b

出版商:RSC    

年代:1877

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

120 THE ANALYST. MILK ANALYSIS. The following refers t o the correspondence we reprinted last month on this subject : THE DAIRYMEN AND THE ANALYSTS. To THE EDITOR OF TEE EXETER AND PLYMOUTH GAZETTE. SIR,-Your leader of to day states ; ‘‘ We should very much like to know the name of the large town in the West of Englaud ’) respecting the Hedical Xxamirzer’s milk story, and I hasten to gratify such laudable curiosity, the more especially as on public grounds, it is highly desirable that there should be a complete exposure of the incident referred to.After several milk prosecutions undertaken by the Stonehouse authorities, a private meeting of the Plymouth milkmen appears to have been held, and, whether as a result of the collective deliberative wisdom of the assembly, or of individual inspiration, the fact remains that the Chairman of the meeting, a Mr.Sayer, selected a cow and a constable, had the cow partially milked in the presence of the constable, and filled three bottles, one of which was sent to Dr. Robert Oxland, a second to me, and the third was at first retained by the police, but snbsequently analysed by Mr. Wigner. This milk, direct from the cow, was returned by the three analysts, and justly returned as adulterated. That is adulterated in the sense of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act.I t was, indeed, almost destitute of cream, and the two first analysts not knowing its history, stated their belief that cream had been abstracted ; the third analyst, Mr. Wigner, in full possession of the facts,, certified--ll It has unquestionably been deprived of part of its cream by skimming, or by nbnoymal miZking.” It is well known, both to the milkman and the analyst, that the first portions of milk, technically called ‘‘ fore milk,” are, practically speaking, destitute of cream, and to sell this milk as new milk is evidently fraudulent, and has justly been held so by more than one magistrate.As an example, 1 will cite the Dublin case, reported in The Analyst, August, 1677, p,.82, where one Michael Hayden, a dairy proprietor, was charged before Mr. Woodlock, the divisional police magistrate, for selling milk deprived of its cream ; the defendant stated that it mas ‘‘ fore milk,” and that he had sold the ’‘ strippings ” as cream, believing that he was allowed by law to do so.The magistrate expressed his opinion that milk should be sold whole, i 6.) with both fore milk and strippings, and fined the defendant $10. The difference in the amount of cream in the first and last portions of milk is thus evidently known to the trade; and the uncharitable may suppose that the object of the Plymouth milkmen in undertaking an experiment costing them two guineas, the value of over thirty gallons of milk, was to enable fraudulent and lucrative practises to be carried out with impunity by casting discredit upon analysts in general and me in particular; the charitable, that the dairymen were animated with a sudden thirst for knowledge, and digired to place the composition of their milk beyond a doubt. I of course adopt the latter hypothesis, and remain, Yours, Src,, A.WYNTER BLYTH. BARNSTAPLE, 8tyteder 3 4 1877. SYNCHRONIZED CLOCEB. MESSRS. BARRAUD & LUND, the chronometer makers, have long been known in the City for the accuracy with which their own regulators were adjusted, but it is an entirely new feature in timekeeping that they have now attempted to regulate, or, as they, perhaps, more correctly term it, synchronize, any or all of the clocks in the City of London.We hare recently had an opportunity of inspecting the electrical arrangement by which they are doing this, and we must say that, not only as electrical mechanism, but as a perfect piece of apparatus, it is unique and simple. The arrangement which is supplied to the clock is of the simplest kind, and does not interfere in any way whatever with the works of the time-piece itself, and it can be applied to any clock, no matter what its size may be.The arrangement virtually consists in two small pins, which pro- ject through a narrow slit in the dial of the clock, and at regular intervals of one hour adjust the clock. An electric current is automatically sent from the regulator in Messrs.THE ANALYST.121 Barraud & Lund’s establishment, which passes through an electric magnet, and causes these two pins to approach each other, and for a second nip the minute hand of the clock between them, so that, whether the clock has gained or lost time during the hour, it is certain at the hour to be set right. The mechanism can, if necessary, be removed at any time, without interfering with the clock itself. At present there are some five OF six different, circuits at work in the City, each one taking from eight to fifteen clccka. Nearly all the banks in Lombard Street and the neighbourhood have adopted it, and many firms at tl greater distance. Perhaps among the greatest advantages of this system is its purely automatic character.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8770200120

出版商:RSC    

年代:1877

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

THE ANALYST. 121 CORREBPONDBiVCE. [The Editors are not responsible for the opinions of their Correspondents.] To THE EDITOR OF <<THE AXALYST.” SIR,-A friend of mine has just handed to me a copy of the Bath Argus, September 8th, 1877, containing a report of certain proceedings, which were taken with regard to the adulteration of beer and milk ; the ca6es had been referred to Somerset House, and in their certiticate Messrs.Bell, Bannister and Helm state that they found the beer to contain 66.5 grains common salt per gallon. (Mr. Gatehouse for the prosecution found 68 grains.) At the same time they added i i The strong Burton beers contain about 60 grains of common salt per gallon, solely derived from the water, malt and hops used.” I n a book now before me Burton-on-Trent, its History, its Waters, and its Breweries,” by William Molyneaux, F.G.S., 1870, page 207, there are three analyses of Burton water, in which the amount of chloride of sodium is given as 9.17, 10 01, and 6.636 grains respectively. The iota1 chlorides of sodium, potassium, and magnesium are- No.1. 10,136 grains per Gallon. No. 2. 12.285 ,, 1 ) No. 3. 27,433 ,, 9 1 Further, in June, 1876, I vent to the stores in this place, and obtained samples from the respective agents of the under-mentioned Breweries ; againfit them I place the amount of salt per gallon which 1 found :--.Ind, Coope & Co. Allsopp & Sons 1% 1, Bass & Co. 20 1, 8a Grains. Burton Brewery Co. 16 ,, The above does not support the Somerset House Chemists in their statement.samples I worked upon, as I took them direct from the stores of each of tho above Firma. I t would be interesting to know what is the experience of other public analysts in this matter. I can vouch for the Yours respectfully, WM. MORGSN, Ph.D. SwiNaEa, Sept. 21at, 1877. OBITUARY. WE regret to have to announce the death of Mr. Richard Apjohn, X.A., of Cambridge, Lecturer on Chemistry at Gonville and Caius Colleges, Public Analyst for the County and Borough of Cambridge and for the County of Huntingdon, and Member of the Society of Public Analysts. H e died in London on the 13th instant from injuries caused by a fall from a bicgcle-one more unfortunate victim to the fancy for athletic exercises which occasionally seizes on the public mind.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8770200121

出版商:RSC    

年代:1877

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

123 THE ANALYST. LAW REPORTS. COLLAPSE OF ANOTHER CASE. - John Sargent, dairyman, of Millbrook Place, Swainswick, appeared in answer to an adjourned summons, charging him with selling adulterated milk on the 31st July. A sample of the fluid in this case had been forwarded to Somerset House, and subjoined is a copy of the certificate thence received :-rc The samplc of milk referred to in the annexed letter mas received here on the 20th August, and the milk was then found to be in a very advanced stage of decomposition.The bottle when received was securely sealed. We hereby certify that we have analysed the milk, and declare the actual results of our analysis to be as follows : Solids not fat, 7.83 per cent. ; fat, 2-18 ; water 89.99 ; ash, *70. TO these resiilts an addition has to be made for natural loss, arising from decomposition through keeping, but after making such addition both ‘solids not fat,’ and fat, indicate a milk of low quality.We note that in your letter of the 21st August, you observe that (‘ the cows which had produced i t had been kept under cover, and fed upon grains, chaff and gurgeons.’ and from experience we are aware that feeding has a considerable influence on both the yield and quality of milk.From a consideration of the character of the feeding and its probable influence on the quality of the milk, together with the results of the analysis, we do not feel justified in pronouncing the sample adulterated with water. 6. Bell, R. Bannister and 0. H. Burge.” Mr. Moger intimated that he should not ask for a conviction in this case, adding that the analysis of the London gentlemen was identical with the Yeszclts obtained by iXr.Gatehouse. There waa however a quantity of milk sold in Bath that would require soplhisticatiofl with 25 per cent. of water to bring it down to the level of this genuine milk. The chairman remarked that as there was so much difficulty in detecting the adulteration of miik the public must take care of themselves.At the same time the bringing of the cases before the Bench was a very proper course to purcue.--Bath ZeraZd. The proportion of ash however is fully equal to the average found in genuine milk. AT WORSHIP-STREET, Edward Butler, baker, of 30, Pitfield Street, Hoxton, appeared before Mr.. Bushby in answer to a summons charging him with having sold bread adultcrated with alum.Mr. Enoch Walker appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Vestry of the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch. He produced the certificate of the public analyst of the parish, showing that the bread submitted to him and statcd to have been purchased at the defendant’s shop contained 15 grains of alum per 21b. loaf. The solicitor for the defendant said that his client had trusted the bread-making to his foreman, and from what he had since ludrnt he would submit to the judgment of the court, Mr.Walker said the certificate stated that the proportion of alum found made the bread injurious to health. The solicitor for the defence said that there was a disagreement on that point bet ween professional gentlemen, and Professor Wanklyn, who was in court, would state the contrary.Mr. Bushby said he should like to ask Mr. Wanklpn a question on that matter. Mr. Wanklyn, having been sworn, said that he was professor of chymistry at St. George’s Hospital, and public analyst for Buckignhamshire. He had made analysis his particular study. There was no evidence to show that the quantity of alum in this cme would be injurious to health.The danger of alum was in producing constipation. Before the bad effect was produced alum had to enter the system. Mr. Bushby asked the object with which alum wasused in bread. Flour that had bcgun to L‘ go ” would not make good bread. Mr. Bushby sQpposed that ‘4 go ” meant (‘ ferment,’’ Here it was not in sufficient quantity. The witness replied that it enabled sound bread to be made from unsound flour.THE ANALYST.123 and asked if the flour had begun to ferment what would be the effect of alum upon it. The witness replied that it would arrest the change. Mr. Bushby asked if when flour was c c going” i t was made into bread, whether, as bread, it would continue to ferment, The witness said it mould not be good bread; it would be sour, and not white.Mr. Bushby repeated his question. The witness said that a little fermentation wag required in bread to make it rise. Mr. Bushby understood that was obtained by the use of yeast, and asked whether fermentation of the flour did not destroy the quality of the bread. The witness said that alum mas then used to arrest the nitrogenous substance, which the incipient fermentation going on would destroy.Mr. Bushby then understood that the use of alum would arrest the ferinentation and preserve the nitrogenous substance. Mr. Wanklyn said that mas so, adding that directly the fermentation was set up some of the nitrogenous substance would be destroyed. Mr. Bushby was obliged to witness for the light he had thrown upon the mattcr. This case was not particularly affected by the question whether 15 grains of alum per 21b.of bread was injurious to health or not. I t was clear that the bread was of inferior quality from the fact of alum being in it, and infcrior from the loss of nitrogenous substance. He would deal with the case on that point, and as the defendant had pleaded guilty he would not impose upon him a heavy penalty, the inuxitnecin being €20, but fine him only 20s.and costs. Mr. Walker intimated that on a future occasion he would be prepared with scientific evidence to support he statement as to the injurious effect of alum.-Yhna. POISONED S.mT.-In the United States District Court of Admiralty an action has bcen tried, arising out of the mixture of arsenic with a large quantity 3f salt, e n rozcte from Liverpool by the ship Niagara, which arrived at New York in March, 1874.The cargo oonsistcd in part of 4800 sacks of salt, and the ship also brought over ninety-nine kegs of powder arsenic. The salt and arsenic were stowed in close proximity, and several kegs of the arsenic m r e broken open and their contents became mixed with the salt. The consignee said that the salt was poisoned and entirely worthless, and sued the owners of the vessel for damages.The defenders set up that the kegs of arsenic were brGken open by stress of weather, and that only a very small portion of the salt m s impregnated by the poison. Careful analyses of the salt were made, and experts were called upon to testify. The salt and arsenic mere alike white and undistinguishabla by the eye.I n one three grains and a half of arsenic was the average to a pound of salt. Professor Doremus said that the salt ought to be used solely for purposes in which human life would not be endangered. Professor Chandler, on the other hand, expressed the opinion that no harm could come from the use of portions of the salt examined by him, because no person would consume enough of it to affect him. Judge Blatchford holds that the salt was so iniprcgnated with the arsenic, as to be dangerous, and says :-‘‘ The neglect of the master was a gross wrong to the owners of the vessel, the owners of the salt, and the entire community, who might very well, some of them, have actually consumed some of the salt and Borne of the arsenic with it, but for the prompt action of those receiving the Ealt from the vessel.” A decree is ordered in favour of the libellants with costs, and a reference to ascertain the amount of damages. -Grocer. Two bags of the salt were tested, I n the other bag arsenic was found in salt taken from the centre of the bag.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN877020122b

出版商:RSC    

年代:1877

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

THE ANALYST. 123 NOTES OF THE MONTH. ON another page we reprint a letter from Nr. Wynter Blyth in reference to the milk case which we referred to in our last. It is very much t o be regretted that the Medical Examimr should have inserted a paragraph in reference to t’his case, which was based upon evidence quite as insufficient as that which first led to the cowke3per’s letter in the V&ern Xoming News.Mr. Blyth’s letter must be held t o finally settle the question that the milk referred to mas abnormal milk-whether it had been rendered abnormal by skimming or some peculiar mode of milking with which dairymen are specially familiar. The publicans appear determined not to let the disputed question of Gin versus Gin- and-water rest yet. A lengthened correspondence has been going on in the columns of a variety of papers, and many persons, amongst them lamyers, have been called in to express t,heir opinion that gin-and-water is still gin.Ro doubt, in a teetotal sense, the Good Templars would be glad t o find it so. But there is another aspect to the case.124 THE ANALYST. Mr. Poland’s opinion is decidedly that the gin as sent from the distillery may not be reduced by dilution with water and sold as gin, unless the publican affix to i t the proper label specifying that it is gin-and-water.This quite accords with the decisions which Justice Mellor and Justice Lush gave in the appeal case of Webb versus Knight, but is if anything a little more stringent. Lord Truro seems t o have been greatly exercised lately in reference to the adulteration of beer and spirits.I n writing to the Times, his lordship is so philanthropic as to think that it is the drugs introduced into the manufacture of these beverages which produce intoxication. The only unfortunate circumstance in connection with Lord Truro’s statement is that the public analysts of the kingdom, whom we must consider to be on the whole the best judges, hare not yet succeeded in finding any sensible quantity of drugs introduced into either beer or spirits ; but, on the contrary, the complaints which they have had to make, and on which publicans have continually been summoned, have been that the latter had added water-not drugs; and water surely cannot conduce to intoxication any more when it ia added to gin than when it is put in the form of Simpson t o milk.The facts which we published in THE ANALYST in April of this year are very significant on this point. During the years 1875-18’76 the returns show only 175 samples of adulterated beer and spirits ; and they ehow 833 samples of adulterated groceries and 1,483 samples of adulterated milk. We publish a letter from Dr. Morgan, of Swansea, which is worth the consideration of analysts generally, and we invite our confreres to give us a record of their actual experience in the matter.We have ourselves analysed the Burton waters repeatedly, and our results are accordant with those of Dr. Morgan on the ales. “The public analyst for presents his compliments t o Mr. Simpson and requests to know with what he fed the cows which yielded the sample of milk obtained from him by the inspector on the- day of 187-.” This is a new form of enquiry which all analysts had better have printed at once, if they desire to keep in the paths of rectitude as laid down at Somerset House, and then thpg may possibly escape the fate of Mr.Gatehouse, as detailed in the paragraph which we reprint on another page from the Bath Bernld of the 8th September.The remarks of the prosecuting solicitor are very much to the point and more severe than any we could add, but we question whether, before assuming a particular amount of fiatural loss, it would not be quite as fair to ask for a copy of the results obtained on the fresh milk, and see really what loss had taken place, instead of taking an indefinite and as yet undetermined quantity as natwal Zoss, and on that, aided by some peculiar and unpzcblished views on the effect of feeding on milk, condemn the analysis of a fellow chemist.If the ash obtained by the Somerset House chemists be the Barn8 as that obtained from the fresh milk, then the samples are clearly identical, and if the solids not fat agree with those previously found, it is unjust to asaume a Izecesswy taatzrral loss in a sample when, as is sometimes the case, little or none takes place.It is this sort of systematic straining of opinions to give the benefit of an imaginary doubt, which goes far t o encourage the traders to continue the addition of water. The sooner Mr. Bell publishes his table showing the relative effects of grains,” ‘‘ chaff,” ‘ I gurgeons,” and 4‘ keeping under cover,’’ on the solids not fat of milk, the better for both public analystsTHE ANALYST.125 ~ and the public. Hitherto we have found feeding t o affect the fat, but we have found nothing but partial milLing or posithe disease which lowers the solids not fat to 7-83 and until we do so we must decline t o be “gurgeons” caught by “chaff.” We shall, however, be pleased t o give publicity to Mr.Bell’s figures if he will send them. We reprint a note on oxide of zinc contaminated with sulphite of zinc. We draw special attention to this because we have ourselves found practical difficulty to arisein commercial mork from the presence of this form of adulteration ; as far as we know, the details of the analyses of samples so adulterated have never before been published.Castor Oil Pills are still to the fore. I t seems a strange thing that there ahould have been such a discussion over a trivial thing like this. Druggists-of all men- ought to be most careful t o sell exactly what they are asked for, and t o sell it under its proper name, and certainly no one knows better than druggists do that castor oil pills, properly so called, do not exist.Why, then, is not the name at once given up? One of our contemporaries, speaking of the water supply of one of the largest of the midland towns, says :--“ The supply does not appear to have been so good as usual, an increase in organic matter being noted, and also the presence of infusoria, both no doubt due t o inefficient filtration.Such a statement as the latter appears to us to fully justify another statement which the same journal made not long since, that the amount of sulphur present in gas aa an impurity was not injurious, but it was only the carbon which did the harm. It really seems time that, our engineers and sanitary officers had better information on scientific points than thie. No harm, however, will 6e done by either.” There have been a large number of paragraphs lately in the London press, and some in the provincial press, in reference to the adulteration of treacle with arsenic.We have taken ~ome pains to investigate the matter thoroughly, and are in a position to say that there is no foundation for the fright which has been caused by these rumours. The matter did not originate, as is stated, in the fact of a iarge quantity of treacle becoming accidentally mixed with arsenic in Lewisham, but simply from the fact of a small quantity of treacle with which some children were being fed haFing a small portion of arsenic accidentally mixed with it.The result of the examination which we have made of some dozens of samples from the same neighbourhood rihows that they are all pure. We should have thought the time had gone by for such statements 88 these in It is extracted from the Chemist and Druggist and reference to the analysis of butter.quoted by them from the Pharm. Centralhatle. DETECTION OF LARD AND SUET IN BUTTER. The butter, to which water has been added, having been first heated for two hours over the water bath, to remove saline and some other constituents, is thus treated :-five parts of concentrated sulphuric acid me agitated with three of the butter, and a nearly transparent yellow fluid is produced, won becoming a clear yellowish red; if suet or tallow be present (but not otherwise) this will, in the course of half 8n hour acquire a dark reddish-brown tint,126 THE ANALYST.An enquiry has taken place a t Bath as to the death of a woman who is alleged to have been poisoned by her husband. The stomach and other viscera of the deceased mere submitted t o Mr. Gatehouse, the Public Analyst for Bath, who found copper present. Thus the livcr contained 1.16 grains of copper, and the other viscera about 2$ grains. No other poison was detected, except a minute trace of antimony, which Mr.Gatehouse considers was present as an accidental impurity in the copper salts. This case appears to us to form a very practical commentary on the paper on copper in peas, by Dr. Paul and Mr. Kingzett, abstracted i n our last number. As far as we remember there are only one or two previous cases on record of poisoning by copper salts. It certainly appears that this one case is worth far more than all the experiments made by the authors of the paper in question.It does not follow that because two men in good health can partake, without actual injury, of a daily dose of poison, a feeble voman can do the same. The public arc, at any rate, entitled t o the protection of the lam against such practices. The makers of the so called preserved peas can have no ground o f complaint, for if they simply label their canisters--“ This is a mixture of preserved peas and sulyhate of copper,” the public can buy them if they please.Till they do so we hope every brand in the market will be carefully examined, until the sale of such an abominable mixture is entirely stopped. 1iECENT CHEMlCAL PATENTS. The following specifications haw been published during the past month, and can be obtained from the Great Seal Office, Southampton Row, Chancery Lane, London.1816. KO. 4826 4847 1877. 92 135 85 1 557 407 426 488 492 494 493 609 612 697 683 684 850 NLme of Patentee. F. R~axmell Lyte . . . . . . A. M. Clark . . . . . . P. Piccard . . . . . . . . . J. Hooper . . . . . . . . . C. TV. Harrison . . .. . . D. McFarlane C. C. Creeke and i.*’Sharp” W. Cormack . . . . . . J. H. Johnson . . . . . . P. Jablohkoff . . . . . . Ditto . . . . . . J. E. Sears . . . . . . . . . W . Mart indale . . . . . . A. 11. Clark . . . . . . D. B. Hewitt . . . . . . J. Stuart . . . . . . . . . J. Toussaint . . . . . . E. A. Parnell . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... ... ... 1 1814 T. N. Kirkham, D. Hulett, and S. and J. Chandler ... 2261 8. Pitt . . . . . . . . . . . . Title of Patent. Price Production of Ammonia Anhydridc . . . . . . . . . 6d. Crucibles, &c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8d. Evaporatin Saline Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . 6d. vapours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2d. Purifying or Treating Alcohoiic Liquids .. . . . . 6d. Treating Sewage, &c .... . . . . . . . . . . . . 4d. Apparatus for Generating Electricity . . . . . . . . . Lamps for 8urning Hydrocarbon Oils . . . . . . . . . Gd. Impregnating Atmospheric Air, with inflammable Sewer Ventilator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6d. Utilizing Refuse Acid Liquors . . . . . . . . . . . . 2d. 6d. Electric Lamps . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 6d. Ventilating Rooms, &c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2d. Apparatus for Inhaling Jkfedicated Vapour . . . . . . 2d. Obtaining and Fixing Nitrogen i n Inert Substances for Fertilizing Purposes.. . . . . . . . ... 4d. Utilizing the Sulphur contained in Vat or Soda Waste 2d. Manufacture of Sugar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4d. Crucibles. .. . . . . . . . . . 4d. Manufacture of Metalli’c’Zinc ai;d Sulphuric Acid ... 2d. Purifying Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4d. Utilizing the Bisulphide of Carbon and Glycerine for the Production of Motive Power, &c. . . . . . . 4d. BOOES, &c., RECEIVED. The Chemist and Druggist ; The Brewers’ Guardian; The British Medical Journal; The Medical Examiner ; The Medical Times and Gazette; The Pharmaceutical Journal ; The Sanitary Record; The Medical Record ; The hliller ; The Anti-Adulteration Review ; Report on Various Methods of Dealing with Meat Seized as Unfit for Human Food, by Dr. Sedgwick Saunders ; Journal of Applied Scicnce , The Country Brewus’ Gaectte.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8770200123

出版商:RSC    

年代:1877

数据来源: RSC