摘要:

195 T H E A N A L Y S T . NOVEMBER, 1880. SOCIETY OF PUBLIC ANALYSTS. THE NEXT MEETING of this Society will be held a t Burlington House, Piccadilly, on Wednesday, the 17th inst., a t Eight o’clock. ON THE ESTIMATION OF PHOSPHORIC ACID IN POTABLE WATER. By J. WEST-KNIGHTS, F.C.S. THE gravimetric method for the estimation of P,O, in potable waters, proposed by Otto Hehner, F.C.S. (THE ANALYST, vol. iv., p. 23, and vol. v., p. 135), is undoubtedly an excellent one, and, with ordinary care and precautions, furnishes very accurate results. But still, I doubt whether water analysts, as a body, will avail themselves of the advantages to be derived from a knowledge of the proportions of P,O, in a sample of water, obtained by that method, in forming an opinion as to its fitness for drinking purposes, for the simple reason that the proceas requires more time and attention than can be given without extra charge for the analysis, and, as many of us who hold public appointments are bound to report upon water for a fixed fee, it is obvious that if we attempt the determination at all, i t must be by a more simple method.The great accuracy with which minute quantities of substances in solution can be measured by depth of tint produced by re-agents, which, in more concentrated solutions, would have produced precipitates ; or, in other worcls, the high tinctorial power of coloured substances that are very spaiingly soluble is well lmown, and upon this fact the present method is based. If to a very dilute solution of a phosphate, molybdate of ammonia is added, and the mixture boiled, no precipitate is produced, b?it a bright yellow colour which varies in intensity, in proportion to the quantity of P,O, present.To apply this to the estimation of phosphoric acid present in potable water, certain precautions are necessary. As silica gives a very intense yellow colour with the molybdate, it is obvious that that substance must be separated before titration, and as the quantity of nitric acid present has a great influence upon the intensity of colour produced, care must be taken always to have the same quantity in making the comparison. The process is conducted as follows : ~50,425 grm. of crystallized non-effloresced sodic phosphate are dissolved in 1 litre of water ; or, what is better, 50 C.C. of the standard solution of sodic phosphate that is used for the titration of uranic solution (Sutton’s Volumetric Analysis, 3rd sdition, p .220), are diluted to1 litre. Each C.C. of this solution equals *0001 gramme of P,O,. A neutral solution of molybdate of ammonia is made by dissolving about 75 grammes of that salt in 1 litre of water. 70 C.C. of the sample of water are evaporated to dryness with HNO, and gently ignited to separate SiO,, the residue is then taken up with 1 C.C. of dilute HNO, (I : 5 ) and boiling196 THE ANALYST. water, filtered, and the filtrate made up to 70 C.C. (the original volume). This is placed in a small beaker-capable of holding about 100 c.c., and put over the gds ; as soon as ebullition has commenced, 1 C.C. of the molybdate solution is added, ttnd the beaker placed on a sheet of white paper, the yellow colour observed, and imitated by using 70 C.C.of distilled water, 1 C.C. of the nitric acid, sufficient quantity of the phosphate solution, and 1 C.C. of the molybdate. The number of C.C. of the phosphate solution used divided by ten equals grains of P,O, per gallon. The process very much resembles nesslerizing, with the exception that tho comparison must be made whilst the liquids are quite hot, as the colour fades considerably on COC ding. The degree of accuracy obtained by this method, would, of course, vary with the capability of the operator for observing slight difference in the depth of tints, but I do not think any- one would fail to observe a difference of -00005 grammes. When small quantities only are present,it is, of course, open to the analystJo concentrate the water to a n j convenient extent, in which case the accuracy of the estimation would be increased in like proportion.It will be readily acceded that such degree of accuracy is amply sufficient from a practical point of view; as I a m sure no-one’s opinion upon a water would be modified by a difference of -00005 grammes of P,O, in each estimation, when the total quantity present equals ten times that amount, as it always will, even in waters containing a very slight quantity, if a suitable degree of concentration has been obtained. The fifi:ter paper ustd miist be washed with dilute nitric acid and boiling water before use, or a considerable error will be introduced. I have worked this process repeatedly, side by side with the gravimetric method of Hehner, with very satisfactory coincidence. The following is a short table of results obtained by this method, most of which have been verified by the gravimetric method :- GRAINS PER GALLON.WATER. Total Solids. Shallow-well water, Ely.. .......... 109.9 .. I , 104.3 .. $ 9 ,, Swavesey ...... 133.7 .. River water, Cam - . . . . Ouse ................ - .. Cambridge Supply ................ 26.0 .. Shallow-well water ................ 73.0 .. ................ .. ................ Ohlorine. N as Nitrates, Bcc. FreeAmm. Alb. Amm. P205. 6-80 .. 1-09 .. -0028 .. -0350 .. -70 4-90 .. 1.38 .. -0056 .. .0126 .. -75 15.40 .. 2-88 .. -0056 .. -0210 .. 1.20 .. - .. -35 .. - .. *40 1.40 .. -33 .. ~0140 .. -0014 .. -40 4.4 .. 1-15 .. -0210 . . -0210 .. -70 - ,. - .. - - .. - .. - From the above table it will be seen that I have found far greater quantities of P,O, than Mr. Hehner did, but this will no doubt be accounted for in the fact that my samples consisted chiefly of highly polluted shallow-well waters from the greensand, whilst his were (probably from deep wells) from the chalk formation, with the exception of those obtained from the Thames. I shall not attempt to draw any lines between the quantities of P,O, present in “good,” 6 ‘ suspicious,” and b b plainly polluted ” waters, for until further results have been obtained it would be impossible to do SO; in the meantime, the estimation will certainly be of some value to those who take every item of a water analysis into consideration. I have also applied this method to the estimation of P,O, in wine, beer, and milk, with good results.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8800500195

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

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THE ANALYST. 197 NOTE ON AN OLD TIN OF PRESERVED MEAT. By G. W. WIGNER, F.C.S., &c. DURING the recent International Food Exhibition, Mr. Leonard Wallingten brought under the notice of the judges a remarkable tin of preserved meat. This tin had been in Mr. Wallbgton’s possession for twenty-nine years, and was, he supposed, some five or six years old when he received it. It was tinned (as appeared by the stamp on the tin) by D. Hogsrth dz Go. The tin was of what we should consider now to be unusual thickness. It had apparontly been painted outside with an oxide paint; but, notwithstanding this, the exterior of the tin had corroded so much that in dusting it carefully two small scales were displaced, whioh left pin holes in themetal.198 THE ANALYST. It was not convenient to open the tin for five or six days after this, and the contents began to smell.When the tin was cut open, and the contents emptied in the form of a solid lump, two patches of decomposed meat were seen, each about 1+ inch by inch, spreading from the two pin holes. The rest of the meat was sound, and, after the removal of the decomposed patches, appeared to be in excel- lent condition. It was tainted, but it was clear that was due to the odour from the decom- posed patches, for, when washed, all taint was removed. The fat appeared to be entirely the natural fat of the meat. This ash was free from lead, but eontained minute traces of tin. The quantity was far too small to estimate quantitatively. It was unquestionably less than the proportion usually present in tinned goods one year old. The salt was also low, and this may have something to do with the absence of tin. Only -09 per cent. was found. This looks as if the veal had been boiled, and the liquor decanted before canning. The most important result was that lead was absent. There has not been time enough to assay the metal of the can ; but it seems pretty well evident that it was really tinned iron plate, and not Terne plate, containing lead. Thirty odd years is a long test for tinned meat ; and it is remarkable that any portion of it should have been quite free from decomposition after that time. Such a successful r e d t may possibly lead to the use of better and sounder tins than those now in vogue. No odour had been perceptible in the first instance. The contents consisted of veal, with a large proportion of fat, and a few peas. The meat was analysed, and gave only 968 per cent. of ash.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN880050197b

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

198 THE ANALYST. ABSTRACT OF A PAPER READ BEFORE TEE CHEMICAL SECTION OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. ON THE SPECIFIC ROTATORY POWER OF CANE AND INVERT SUGAR. By Alfred H. Allen, F.C.S. THE angular rotation produced by a plate of 1 mm. in thickness is 24 degrees for the mean yellow ray (ir transition tint. In Soleil’s polarizing saccharimeter the 24 angular degrees are graduated into 100 divisions, and in using the instrument a solution of cane sugar is employed of such concentration that a column of two decimetres in length shall cause a deviation of 24 degrees, or 100 divisions. If S be the apparent specific rotatory power of an optically active substance in soh- tion ; A, the angular rotation observed ; L, the thickness in decimetres of the solution traversed by the ray of polarized light ; and C the number of grammes of solid in each 100 C.C.of solution; the value of S can be found by the following equation :- A S = L X C 100 It is agreed by numerous observers that the apparent specific rotatory power of cane sugar in aqueous solutions containing at least 10 per cent. of the solid is + 73.88 for the transition tint.THE ANALYST. 199 Substituting this value for S in the above equation ; 240 for A ; and 2 for L ; we obtain- 24 C 2 - 100 73.8 = ; whence C = 16.26 Hence the proper weight of s u p to be taken for use with Soleil’s saccharimeter is 16.26 grammes, and not 16-19, 16.35 grammes, or any different weight. If it be contended that either of these alternative quantities is the right one to employ, it follows that + 73.84 is not correct for apparent specific rotatory power of cane sugar.According to Tuschmidt, Casamajor, and many other observers, a solution of cane sugar which, before inversion, shows a deviation of f 100 Soleil divisions gives, after inver- sion, a negative rotation of - 44 divisions at OQ C, decreasing by one division for each rise of 20 C, so that the inverted solution will show a deviation of - 37 at 140 C, and - 36.5 at 15O C. Many writers on the rotatory power of invert sugar have overlooked the fact that inver- sion causes an increase in the weight of solid matter in the solution, 95 parts of cane sugar yielding 100 parts of inverted sugar. This increase of weight ought to be taken into account in calculating the specific rotatory power of invert sugar, which at 150 C is really 25.60.- 36.5 + *24 - - Sj = - 25-6 = 16.26 95 2 x This number corresponds to a value of - 25094~ for Sj at 14O C, instead of -26.0, as generally stated. If 16.19 grammes be adhered to as the normal weight of sugar per 100 c.c., the value of Sj at 14O C becomes - 26*05O, against - 25*0° as usually taken. If the value of Sj for invert sugar be taken at - 26O (the mean of the above values) and O’Sullivan’s figure + 574 be adopted as the value of Sj for dextrose, then the specific rotatory power of lsvulose at 14O C is - 109*64, instead of - 106O, as usually taken. (26 X 2 + 57*6 = 109*6.) To sum up, the corrected values of Sj are as follows :- Sj. Cane Sugar ... ... ... ... ... + 73.8 Invert Sugar ... ... ... ... - 25.6 at 15Q Dextrose ... ... ... ... ... + 57.6 Laevulose ... ... ... ... ... ... - 108.8 at 150 The deviation, according to the average results of various observers, produced by 8 plate 1 m.m. in thickness, is 24Q for the mean yellow or transition tint, and 26.660 for the sodium ray. Hence the above values for Sj may be calculated to the corresponding values or 8, by multiplying them by the factor- 21.66. 24 = *go25

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8800500198

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

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200 THE AKALYST. ABSTRACT OF PAPERS READ BEFORE THE BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE AT SWANSEA. NOTE ON INDIAN HENBANB. By T. Greeniyh. THE official biennial henbane leaf has of late years become very scarce in this country, and it mas nit11 coneideralle jnteiest that the author undertook the examination of a small sample of henbane leaf sent from India by Dr. Djmock. It anived in a tin box without any particulars as to its being the pioduce of the annual or biennial plant, place of growth, character of soil, the result of eulti~ation, or othermifie. On removal from the tin the leaves had a clammy feel ; thej- posseEEed an intense odour, very persistent on the hand, and generally stionger than that of ordinary henbane. Dried at SOQ F., it lost 7 per cent. The odour passed off almost entirely in the pro- cess of drying.A tincture prepared by maceration was a brown-olive, whereas the official tincture is olive-green, and the eolour more intense. A little added to nater produced no opalescence, and gave only a tinge of colour ; the official tincture, on the contrary, produced considerable opacity, which, on t h e addition of a little liquor potass%, disappeared. I n the general Etiucture of the leaf the author found no very material difference. Extracts made from the two tinctures were relatively 3.43 for the Indian henbane, as compared with 4.20 for the British Pharmacopceia. It might be worth while to make a tincture with the leaf without previously drying it, so that the strong odour mhich is probably due to some volatile principle, and also the acridity might be retpined, and p~obabl~ increase the therapeutic value of the product.ON THE DETECTION OF AJIOEPROU~ QCIXINE IN CITBATB OF IRON AND QUIMNE, By Dr. De VrG. AYORPEOUS QUININE substituted for crystalline in the above is easily soluble in ether, and the substitution will not, therefore, be detected by the test of the Pharmacopceia. It can, however, be detected by transforming the separated quinine into a neutral oxalate. This oxalate after being thoroughly dried on a water-bath is dissolved in chloroform, and the solution, if neceesary, filtered. If a few drops of water are put on the top of this solution in a test-tube the oxalate of quinine will take a part of the water and crystals of oxalate of quinine will appear in the chloroform, whilst the water on the top remains clear and nncolonred if the medicine is not sophisticated. If it contains, however, amorphous quinine the oxalate of this base will be taken up from the solution in chloroform, and the water on the top of this solution will be more or lees yellow coloured by the oxalate of amorphone quinine which ha8 been dissolved by the water, THE PRESENOE OF ARSENIO IN TINCTURE AND SOLUTION OF PERCHLORIDE OF IRON.By F. W. Fletcher, F.C.F. TEE author enumerated several obsemations of the presence of arsenic as an impurity in pharmaceutical preparations, and to that list he said he had the melancholy satisfaction ofTHE ANALYST. 201 contributing an addition. Having detected izrsenic in samples of hydrochloric acid, many of wbich bad been Eold R S pure, he thonght that possibly a conciderable portion of the liquor ferri perchlor. of pharmacy prepared with similar acid might contain arsenic. This had proved to be the case in samples of the liquor, and also of the tincture, which had been obtained from various eminent dibprnsing houpee. In one instance the proportion of 33.8 grains Ae,O, in the 100 fluid oz. of the liquor were detected. The other instances gken showed 10, 12, and 13 grains per 100 fluid oz. of liquor.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8800500200

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

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THE ANALYST. 201 INTERNATIONAL FOOD EXHIBITION. The following are extracts from the Award of the Judges at this Exhibition, whioh was held at the Agricultural Hall, from the 13th to 20th October : - The Exhibition is a remarkably representative one. As nearly as we can tell, there are dose upon 8,000 different and specifio varieties of food and food produats, prepared202 THE ANALYST. in various forms, and cooking utensils on exhibition. It would, of course, have been absolutely impossible, in the limit of a week, to test every one of these, but n e have adopted the plan of selecting from those which were considered by each exhibitor, acting on behalf of the manufacturers, the best,, and in very many cases also the worst of each class. We have been much pleased by the almost entire absence of adulteration, properly so called; out of some thousands of samples examined, there have been less than five instances in which the article has ilot been fairly and honestly described by the name or label. This result is so far satisfactory, in that it shows that there is no commercial difficultyin the way of pure goods, which will meet all the requirements of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, being turned out in sufficient quantities for sale.There are a large number of samples of tinned fish exhibited, but a good many of these are of inferior quality, due, partly to the character of the tin in which they have been packed, and partly to overcooking. In one or two cases, however, these difficulties have been almost, if not entirely, overcome, especially in the case of salmon.The efforts of canners should be directed towards the proper enamelliug of the tins and canning at a lower temperature. The tinned meats were, as a rule, carefully prepared, and most of them were of avery satisfactory quality, and not 60 salt as it has hitherto been the custom to make them. The tongues especially showed a very great improvement on those which we have hitherto met with. The tinned poiiltry and game were all of good quality, and carefully tinned. Of tinned fruits and vegetables, there Fere some half-dozen instances in which the old system of packing had been carried out, and inferior results had been obtained; but in all other cases, the improvement was so marked, that many of the samples exhibited were decidedly superior to the beat of ordinary English produce sold by retailers.We may mention specially pines, apricots, peas, and haricot beans. Samples of the so-called temperance; drinks have been subjected to chemical examination, with the extremely satisfactory result that they all proved to be non-alcoholic and of good quality, and many of those which claim medicinal properties do really possess them. Of wines, spirits, cordials, and bitters the display was small, but contained a few novelties, and those for which the awards were made, were excellent. Condensed milk and children’s foods show a slight advance on samples with which we have been previously acquainted, but even now there is room for considerable improvement, the sugar present being in our opinion much in excess of that required for the preservation of food.We think the public, no less than the exhibitors, will be the gainers by the opportunity which has been afforded them of obtaining samples of various articles of food hitherto almost unknown to them. The foundation is well laid for an even larger Exhibition next year. Among the most interesting of the medals awarded were a gold medal to Messrs. Thurbers, for an excellent show of tinned fruits, and silver medals, among others, as follows :- For Tinned Meat, to Messrs. Miller & Halls. For Pure Cocoa Extract, to Meears. Fry & Sons.THE ANALYST. 203 For <‘ Perfected ” Cod Liver Oil and other Pharmaceutical Preparations, to Messrs For Gas Cooking Stoves, t o Messrs. H. Greene & Son. For Dairy Produce, to the Ay!esbnry Dairy Company. For Whole Meal Bread, to Messrs. Hill & Son. For Pharmaceutical Preparations, to Messrs. Savory & Moore, For Prepared Corn Flour, to tne Oswego Company. For Condensed Soiips, &c., to Mr. H. W. Brand. For Crystallized Sugar, to Mr. J. Duncan. Allen & Hanburys.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN880050201b

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

THE ANALYST. 203 THE LOCAL GOVERNUENT BOARD AND THE SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1875. THE Local Government Board have just issued their Annual Report for 1879, from which we extract the following :- I t is satisfactory for us to be able to state that, during the past year, a considerable number of additional authorities have availed themselves of the advantages to be derived from a compliance with the provisions of The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1875, in regard to the appointment of an analyst. From our last Report it will be observed that up to the 31st December, 1878, arrangements had been made by 201 authorities for the discharge of the duties of this office within their respective Districts, and that we were then in communication with those authorities from whom we had not received any report of an appointment having been made.During the year ended on the 31st of December, 1879, appointments under section 1 0 of the Act were reported to and approved by us in 34 additional cases, whilst two additional authorities made arrangements, under section 11, for the due discharge of the duties of the office within their Districts. Up to the last-mentioned date the number of authorities who had appointed analysts under section 10, with our approval, the appointments being then in existence, was as follows :- County Authorities ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 Municipal Corporations ... ... ... ... ... 139 District Boards and Vestries in t>he Metropolis ... ... 39 230 Agreements entered into under section 11 ... *.. ... 7 237 - - The counties generally are therefore provided with an analyst, aud it is satisfactory to observe that a large majority of the boroughs to which the Act applies :-viz., those having separate Courts of Quarter Sessions or separate Police Establishments, have complied with the provisions of the Act in this respect.We have not failed to urge upon the remaining authorities who are empowered to appoint analysts under the Act, the deRirability of their adopting P similar course. The results of the analyses made during the year are shown in the abstract which is printed in the Appendix. It will be seen i h a t the elltire number of such analyses is 17,049, which exceeds by about 850 the number recorded in our last report. It would no204 THE ANALYST. doubt have been still larger, if the operation of the Act had not been practically suspended, in a large number of districts, in the early part of the year, owing to some doubt which had been suggested, but in which we did not participate, as to the construction of the words “ t o the prejudice of the purchaser” in the 6th section of the Act of 1875.As soon, however, as this question was brought before the High Court of Justice (Hoyle v. Hitchman L. R. 4 Q. B. 233) it was decided that the words in question did not, as had been contended, defeat the object which the Act had been obviously intended to secure; and thenceforward samples were again submitted to the analysts, and proceedings were again taken in cases of adulteration. The decision of the High Court on this point was subsequently embodied in an Amendment Act, to which we shall presently refer.The following Table shows the number of samples examined during the year, and the percentage of adulteration. It is necessary, however, to point out that such percentage is based on the results of all the analyses as given in the quarterly reports, and not merely on the number of cases in which legal proceedings were instituted. In many of the samples which are included under the general head of ‘( adulterated,” the amount of adulteration was so small that the analyst specially notes “ no prosecution advised ; ” and in some instances prosecutions with regard to samples reported as adulterated eventually broke down because it was shown that adequate notice of the mixture (as of coffee with chicory, or mustard with wheaten flour) had been given to the purchaser.Milk .................................... Bread .................................... Flour .................................... Butter.. .................................. Coffee .................................... Sugar .................................... Mustard,.. ................................. Pickles (including Tinned Vegetables) ...... Jam ...................................... Confectionery ............................ Wine .................................... Beer .................................... Bin ...................................... Drugs .................................... Other Articles ............................ Spirits other than Gin .................... Total ..............................Examined. 5654 1287 601 1306 1244 243 922 44 52 257 56 434 601 725 613 3010 17049 Adulterated. 101 95 15 171 236 1 176 1 1 4 6 16 131 224 171 186 2535 1878 ?eroentage of idulteration 21.6 7.1 1.8 12.6 18-5 4.3 19.5 7.0 1.9 5.0 2% 5-0 47.0 46.1 25-4 5.5 17.2 1879 ’ercentage of dulteration. 19-4 7.3 2-4 13.0 18.9 0.4 19.0 2.2 1.9 1.5 10.7 3.6 21-7 30.8 27.0 6.1 14.8 It will be seen from this Table that the percentage of adulterated samples, which was 19.2 in 1877, had fallen from 17.2 in 1178 to 14.8 in 1879 ; but it must be pointed ont that some of this diminution is more apparent than real ; for it is due to the fact that the standard of strength for spirits fixed by the Sale of Food and Drugs Amendment Act is considerably lower than that previously adopted by Public Analysts in general, and thus many samples which would have figured as adulterated in 1878 appear as genuine in 1879.If we exclude spirits altogether from consideration, we find that the percentage of adulterated samples was 15.5 in 1877, 13.7 in 1878, and 13.8 in 1879. About one-third of the whole number of samples examined were of milk, and we are glad to find that the improvement which we noticed last year has been continued, thoughTHE ANALYST. 205 by no means to the extent that we desire. 21.6 in 1878 to 19.4 in 1879, and in the Metropolis from 25.4 to 23.3. The percentage of adulteration has sunk from The proportion of adulterated samples of milk varies much in different districts. AS regards the Metropolis, we find that in Hackney 19 samples out of 46 are reported as adulterated ; in Fulham 17 out of 42 ; in St.Pancras 33 out of 93 ; in Kensington 13 out of 46 ; in Paddington 16 out of 66; while of 67 samples procured in St. James’s, Westminster, and of 22 samples procured in Limehouse, all are pronounced genuine. As regards the large provincial towns we find that Birmingham has the enormous proportion of 37 adulterated samples out of 62 examined; Manchester 18 out of 62 ; Liverpool 32 out of 160 ; Bristol 50 out of 240 ; Yheffield 3 out of 23 ; and Leeds 2 out of 34. It would be interesting to learn how far these differences accurately represent the relative advantages and disadvantages of the respective districts as regards milk supply, and to what extent they depend on the system of procuring samples, or on other conditions. Sometimes, indeed, science is called to the aid of the adulterating milkmm, as in the caes of a sample where just such an amount of sugar had been added as would bring the sample up to the specific gravity of genuine milk ; or where an alkali had been introduced to conceal the badness of the milk that had become sour.Generally, however, water alone is emplojed, sometimes with profusion, sometimes in just such quantity as to reduce fairly rich milk to a fluid which it is hoped may at any rate pass as the product of ill-fed cows. Thus one sample examined by the analyst for Southampton contained no less than 48 per cent. of added water, while another, examined by the same analyst, was apparently of rich milk skilfully reduced to the limit.And the fact, to which we referred in our Report of last year, that the present state of science does not enable analysts to distinguish with certainty exceptionally poor, but genuine, milk from originally rich milk to which water has been added, no doubt prevents them from reporting against many samples which there is much reason to believe have been thus tampered with. In the interests of the public it is desirable that in those instances where the milk is so far below the average strength as to give rise to suspicion of its having been watered, but to suspicion not amounting to certainty, further samples of the milk sold by the same person should from time to time be taken and submitted to the analyst. There, whenever a sample of milk is found to be adulterated, the inspector at once inquires whence the vendor obtains his milk; a sample is then procured from the wholesale dealer, and if that is found to have been tampered with, then the inspector obtains samples from the can of the farmer who supplied the milk, immediately on its arrival in Salford.The analyst states that if this corresponds to the former samples, he makes a point of seeing the cows milked, and analyses 8 sample obtained in his presence, so as tjo leave no chance of an innocent person being convicted. He adds that the inspector has taken several samples on Sunday when the milkmen thought he was in church, and that one of the samples of milk obtained on that day contained as much as 35 per cent. of water. This last proportion is no doubt unusually large, but in the majority of cases entered as adulterated in the return it would seem that the addition of water has been very freely made; and the entire money loss sustained by t,be consumers, to say nothing of the loss of nutriment, must amount in the aggregate to an enormous sum. In some cases the plan adopted a t Salford might be followed.206 THE ANALYST.Anything like an exact estimate of such loss is, of course, out of the question. If, however, we assume that in London each person consumes only a pint of milk weekly, or rather over half a quarter of a pint daily (and this, considering that over one-eighth of the entire population consists of children under five years of age, is probably a moderate estimate), the yearly consumption of the Metropolis * alone will be found to amount to nearly twenty-three millions gallons a year, representing, at 5d.a quart, an expenditure not far short of two millions sterling. If nearly a quarter of this milk be adulterated with about 16 per cent. of added water (and this seems from the analysts’ reports to be the average proportion), it follows (on the hypothesis that the samples analysed are fairly representative of the entire supply) that Londoners are paying between .€70,000 and 680,000 a year for water sold under the name of milk. This unremunerative outlay might certainly be diminished with advantage, by the more extended use of the Sale of Food and Prugs Acts. I t may be further observed that persons who adulterate are not likely to be very particular as to the quality of the water which they use for the purpose; and this is the more important, considering the part which water has been frequently shown to play in the dissemination of infectious disease.It is to be hoped, therefore, that in districts in which the Act has hitherto been allowed to be inoperative, active steps will be taken to check the adulteration of this article of universal consumption. Of the bread examined it will be seen that, as in previous years, about 7 per cent. of the samples are reported against, and of flour about 2; per cent. The usual adulterant is alum, and there has been in some instances a difference of opinion among analysts as to whether samples containing a large proportion of alumina had in effect been adulterated with alum or not. From a Iieport of the Chemists of the Inland Revenue Department, which has been laid before us, there seems to be no doubt that somo descriptions of flttur, especially thst made from Egyptian wheat,, contain appreciable quantities of clay, which cannot be separated by the miller, and it is most important that analysts should be careful to distinguish between accidental impurity of this kind and wilful adulteration.For this purpose it is represented in the report in question as necessary that, they should not omit to use such tests as will determine whether the alumina be present in an insoluble condition, as it would be if derived from earthy matter, or in a soluble form, as it would be if existing as alum. The sale of butterine in the place of butter is apparently on the increase, and is no doubt commonly effected without notification to the purchaser.Correspondence on the subject of the manufacture in the United States of this article (which is blso known as Bosch and Oleo-margarine, and is produced from beef fat) was forwarded to us by the Board of Trade, and has subsequently been published as a Parliamentary Paper. From a despatch from her Majesty’s Consul General in New York, dated the 16th September, 1879, it appears that the total quantity of ‘‘ Oleo-margarine ” exported from New York amounts to about 6,000,000 lbs. annually, of which the greater part is shipped to Rot- terdam, Hamburg, and Rremen, where it j s mixed with milk and colouring agents to give * Through the courtesy of the various Railway Companies we have received returns from which it appears that the quantity of milk brought to London by railway now amounts to nearly twenty million gallons annually.If we assume three million gallons as produced within the Metropolitan area, or brought thither otherwise than by railway, the entire consumption would correspond with that eeJtimated in the text. We cannot find that any statistics on the subject nave been previously collected.THE ANALYST. 207 it a resemblance to butter, and is then churned and converted into butterine, and reshipped, chiefly to this country. Reports and chemical analyses demonstrating its perfect whole- someness and its extreme unwholesemeness appear side by side in the paper referred to. Its opponents assert that samples have becn found invested with organisms of a parasitic character, which may be transferred in a living condition into the systems of those who make use of it.On the other hand the Board of Health of New York pronounce it to be a In this country a Public Analyst of high reputation is of opinion that “ the public should know that genuine butterine, which can be purchased retail at less than 1s. a pound, is often more palatable and more digestible than the inferior Canadian and other butters which are washed up and prepared for the English markets, and sold at a little higher price.” However this may be, it is desirable that butterine should not be sold as butter; and proceedirgs taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act in relation to it will conduce to this end.The percentage of adulterated samples of coffee continues high, mainly in consequence of the practice of selling mixtures of chicory and coffee as coffee, without adequate notifi- cation to the purchaser. Of course the mixtures duly labelled as such are not classified as adulterated. I t may be interesting to observe, however, that one such mixture, on being analysed, was proved to consist of 90 per cent. of chicory and only 10 per cent. of coffee. As to the adulteration of mustard, the observations in our last Report still apply. For table purposes, probably many people would not prefer ground mustard seed to the preparations ordinarily sold as mustard, which consists for the most part of mixtures of mustard flour, wheat flour, and a little turmeric. Such preparations, however, if sold as mustard without notification to the purchaser, are classified as adulterated.Of sugar only one sample was found adulterated out of 243 examined; and experi- ence seems to show that this article is very little tampered with, and that the practice of “ sanding the sugar,” if it existed in the times of heavy duties and high prices has now been virtually abandoned. Of jam, the one adulterated sample was reported to be exten- sivelycomposedof seaweed. Of confectionery, all but four samples out of 257 are returned as genuine, from which it may be inferred that the use of poisonous colouring matters is now rare. I n one or two cases, however, chromate of lead appears to have been used for this purpose; and in one instance a sample of sweets, sold as “ cider cream,” was found to consist of strong vinegar, flavoured with a little acatate of amyl, as to which the analyst remarks, that he is “ not suprised to hear that an uncomfortable feeling is experienced in the stomach after drinking so delectable a compound.” Of wines, it will be seen that only 56 samples have been examined, and it should be stated that three out of the six reported against were sold as ( ( unfermented wines,” and consisted of sugar, water, and tartaric acid, with a little flavouring and colouring mattor.Other ‘‘ unfermented wines” was found to be pure grape juice, mixed with a small quantity of sugar. The adulteration of beer seems of late years to have been steadily on the decrease, the percentage of adulterated samples having fallen from 9.3 in 1877 to 5.0 in 1878, and 3.6 in 1879.I n the Metropolis, moreover, only one sample out of 98 examined in 1879 was found to be adulterated. In a single instance a trace of tobacco was found, but excess of aalt was generally the ground of condemnation- On this point we may refer to the good and wholesome article” of food.208 THE ANALYST. remarks in our report of last year, merely adding that salt seems to be occasionally employed, not, as suggested, for the sake of inducing thirst, but with the notion of making beer keep the better for it. As regards spirits it may be said that the adulteration aontinues to be of an innocuous character, only water being usually added. In comparing the percentage of adulterated samples with that shown in the returns for 1878, it must be borne in mind that, as we have dated above, the standard fixed by the Amendment Act of 1879 is a low one (as any standard of minimum strength must necessarily be), and that much which was before generally ranked as diluted spirit may now be sold as genuine.We regret to find that drugs continue to be largely adulterated, no less than 171 samples being reported against out of 613 submitted to analysis. One result of adulte- ration of drugs is that a person habituated to the use of a certain medicine in an adulterated state, may be seriously affected by suddenly taking the genuine article. Thus “ paregoric ” is a popular domestic medicine, practically identical with the officinal preparation formerly called compound tincture of opium, of which opium is the leading ingredient.Certain samples, however, of RO called paregoric which were analysed in Derbyshire, contained no opium whatever, and large doses might be habitually taken without producing the sedative effect desired, whereas if the patient were suddenly supplied with genuine paregoric, and were to take it in the quantities to which he had been accustomed, the change might be attended with unexpected and possibly disastrous results. Similarly, in the case of sweet spirits of nitre, some samples were foixrid entirely destitute of the nitrous ether which is the most important constituent of the real compund, and others were diluted with amounts of water varying up to 40 per cent. of the whole. Cream of tartar has been found largely mixed with sulphate of lime; and tartaric acid with lead in quantity sufficient to injure health.Fluid magnesia has been reported to have only 3 - 8 grains of magnesia per fluid ounce, instead of the 5 graius which is the proper proportion; and tincture of rhubarb bought at one shop has been found of scarcely more than half the strength of that bought at another. We must repeat the opinion which we have expressed in former years that this state of things demands serious attention, and that strong efforts should be made to secure the sale of genuine drugs of proper strength. Of the articles not specified by name in the Table, we may particularise, among those broadly classified as adulterated, samples of infants’ food, of aardinee, and of arated waters, which contained lead in greater or less proportion.The introduction of this substance in the processes of manufacture had been doubtless unintentional, but was not the less unwholesome on that account. In the case of the arated waters the analyst for Newport (Mon.) observes that ‘( lead is a cumulative poison, and as it is somewhat readily acted upon by prepared water charged with carbonic acid gas, this metal should not be used in the construction of the apparatus employed.” He further reports, what has been observed in many instances elsewhere, that some of the samples of so-called “ soda water ” contained no alkali whatever, but consisted simply of water charged with carbonic acid gas. In several cases the specimens of vinegar analysed were found to be infested with immense numbers of particularly active animalcules, known as vinegar-eels ; and in one instance hydrochloric acid was reported to have been added to vinegar.Of the 17,049 samples above referred to, the greater part were purchased by officers appointed under section 13 of the Act of 1875, and only 528, or little more than S perTHE ANALYST. 209 eent., by private individuals. It is significant that in the latter class of Ramples the proportion adulterated is 25 per cent,, compared with 14.5 per cent. in the former. In some articles the difference is especially marked. I n milk, for instance, of the 176 samples procured by private purchasers, no less than 80, or 45.5 per cent. were adulterated ; while of the inspectors’ samples the proportion was 18.6. Of course this difference is mainly to be accounted for by the fact that a private individual does not, a s w, general rule, take the trouble and incur the expense of submitting a sample for analysis, iirlless he has very strong grounds for suspecting adulteration.But thero is reason to believe tbat in some cases the inspectors appointed under section 13 are known t o the tradesmen, and are supplied? when recognised, with articles superior to thosc which woiild he sold to an unofficial customer. An illustration of the practice referred to is furnibhd by the analyst for Cumberland, who reports that a Rample of milk “ contained such an abnormallyv high percentage of cream as to suggest the idea that tho vendor, knowing the purpose for which the milk was bought, determined to supply the inspector with a good article, and added a considerable proportion of cream lo it.” No doubt in some cases adequate precautions have not been taken to ensure that the articles purchased on behalf of the Authority are fair specimens of those usually sold to the public ; and difficulty in this respect has perhaps occasionally arisen from an erroneous assumption that the officers authorised under section 13 of the Act must personally make the purchases, and that, therefore, in order to escape detection, an adulterating tradesman has only to make himself acquainted with the officers so authorised.We may, however, observe that there is nothing in the Act to prevent the inspector from taking proceedings under it wheu the actual purchase has been made, not by himself, but by a substitute; and as a matter of fact, it is not an infrequent practice of inspectors to adopt this course.We may refer with satisfaction to the passing of the Sale of Food and Drugs Amend- ment Act of 1879, to which we called the attention of the Authorities in our circular letter of the 31st December last, and which has effected some important amendments in the law. By expressly declaring that when an article may have been purchased solely for analysis, it shall be no defence to allege that the purchaser was not prejudiced thereby, it disposes of the objection to which we have previously referred, as for a time interrupting the administration of the principal Act; and it also enacts that it shall not be a good defence to prove that the article analysed, though defective in nature, or in substance, or in quality was not defective in all three respects.I t makes special provision for procuring samples of milk in course of delivery, under contract, to the purchaser or consignee, aud it is hoped that this enactment, by making the consignor liable to a penalty, will afford to dairymen protection against the consignment to them of adulterated milk. A further amendment of the principal Act is made by the clause which extends its operation to articles sold in the streets. The difficulty, on which we enlarged in our last Report, of determining, in the absence of a recognised standard, the precise point at which a compound of alcohol and water ceases to be spirit and becomes spirit-and-water, has been finally disposed of by the provision that the sale of spirits, to which only water has been added, shall not constitute an offence under the 6th section of the principal Act, if such admixture has not reduced brandy, whisky, or rum, more than 2 5 O , or gin more than 3 5 O , under proof.I n one or two instanees it seems to have been assumed that this amending provision operates to prohibit210 TRE ANALYST . altogether the sale of spirits under the standard strength. but we have had no hesitation in expressing our opinion that the clause in question does not affect the operation of section 8 of the principal Act. and that the vendor of any spirits reduced by water below the standard strength would not be guilty of an offence under the Iast-named Act. if he could show that adequate notification of the dilution had been given to the purchaser .Other clauses effect certain changes in the incidence of the charges of the execution of the Acts. and make special provision with regard to the time within which a summons is to be served. and also with regard to the period to be allowed before such summon8 is returnable . We trust that under the law as it now stands. it will be found practicable still further to reduce the amount of adulteration . The progress already made is substantial. and would. no doubt. be auch accelerated. if private individuals would avail themselves more largely of the legislative provisions for their own protection . The following is a list of the total number of samples. examined and adulterated. in England and Wales.during 1879 :- TOTAL NUMBER OF SAMPLES . Examined . The Xetropolitan District .............. 4595 Bedford .............................. 288 Berks ................................ 153 Bucks ................................ 4 Cambridge ............................ 78 Chester .............................. 670 Cornwall .............................. 7 Cumberland .......................... 111 Derby ................................ 104 Devon ................................ 80 Dorset ................................ - Durham .............................. €78 Essex ................................ 216 Glouces t er ............................ 765 Hereford .............................. - Herts ................................ 3 Hunts ................................ 3 Kent ................................389 Lancaster ............................ 2037 Leicester .............................. 257 Lincoln .............................. 322 Middlesex ............................ 69 Monmouth ............................ 116 Norfolk .............................. 24 Northampton .......................... 157 Northumberland ...................... 181 Nottingham .......................... 63 Oxford ................................ 28 Rutland .............................. - Shropshire ............................ 9 Somerset .............................. 956 Southampton .......................... 528 Stafford .............................. 1072 COUNTIES . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Adulterated . 585 35 12 0 19 103 3 14 31 21 202 14 58 3 0 108 356 25 53 16 29 7 25 23 12 7 0 54 111 137 . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. * . .. .. .. .. Proportion adulterated . 1879 . 1878 . 12.7 12.1 7.8 0.0 24.3 15.3 42.8 12.6 29.8 26.2 0.0 29.7 6.4 7.5 0.0 100.0 0.0 27.7 17.4 9.7 16.4 23.1 25.0 29.1 15.2 12.2 19.0 25.0 0.0 5.6 21.0 12.6 - .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12.6 7.7 8.1 0.0 25.8 27.9 26.6 62.5 21.1 13.5 16.6 71.4 7.8 14.6 13.1 24.7 11.1 26.5 23-1 33.7 33-3 21.0 38.8 19.4 46.2 17.6 11.0 26.2 15.9 - - - -THE ANALYST. 21 1 Suffolk ................................ Surrey ................................ Sussex................................ Warwick.. ............................ Westmoreland ........................ Wilts ................................ Worcester ............................ York, E. Riding.. ...................... ,, W. Riding ...................... Anglesey .............................. Brecknock ............................ Cardigan .............................. Carmarthen .......................... Carnarvon ............................ Denbigh .............................. Flint ................................ Glamorgan ............................ Merioneth ............................ Montgomery .......................... Pembroke ............................ Radnor .............................. ,, N. Riding ........................ WALES.Examined. Adulterated. 1 528 427 271 G 35 185 159 132 707 13 59 35 4 27 482 1 - - - -. - .. .. .. .. * . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 70 43 62 1 2 23 29 19 149 a 39 6 1 2 25 0 - - - - - Totals 17049 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. * . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Proportion adulterated. 1879. 1878. oyo 13.2 10.0 22.8 16.6 5.7 12.4 18.2 14.3 21.0 15.3 66.1 17.1 25.0 7.4 5.1 0.0 - - - - - 2535 14.86 .. .. .. .. .. .. *. .. .. 9 . .. a . .. .. * . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. - 22.4 14.7 22.6 45.9 15.4 16.1 21.8 17.8 16.9 7.4 32.3 28.1 - - - - 9.7 - - - - - 17‘18 ANALYST’S REPORT. Mr. J. Carter Bell, Analyst for Salford, in his quarterly report states :-During the quarter ending September 30, 1880, I have examined 154 samples.Of these 24 were adulterated, consisting of 9 milks, 9 wines, 5 breads and 1 butter. The five breads contained a chemical compound which is known by the name of baker’s mixture. This is now being sold in Salford to bakers for the purpose of mixing with inferior flour. I t is made from phosphates of alumina, lime and magnesia, with sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, andIhavefoundthat it has theeffect of spoiling the bread, and makingit injurious to health. I t also contained a considerable amount of arsenic, the consequence of its being made from impure materials. I need not say how dangerous it is to introduce such a mixture into bread. I have also examined nine samples of so-called unfermented wines and two of ordinary tent wines. Of these nine samples, three bearing labels stating that the bottle contained ”pure grape juice,” “virgin fruit of the vine,” &c., con- sisted of sugar, tartaric acid, salicylic acid and colouring matter with a considerable quantity of copper -the result doubtless of ignorant or careless manufacture. Grape juice was in my opinion entirely absent. Another sample, labelled ‘‘ Pure and genuine unfermented fruit of the vine, ’’ was evidently a composite article artificially made, and so carelessly prepared as to contain alchohol. One sample of unfermented wine imported from abroad contained some grape juice, but the presence of alcohol and an abundance of yeast oells showed that fermentation had not been arrested. One example was labelled ‘6 The Seleoted Wine of the Temperance Fraternity. ” This was an ordinary low class fermented wine containing a large amount of alcohol. Of the nine samples of the so-called unfermented wines only one was genuine, and what it professed to be, ‘ I Pure grape juioe entirely free from alcohol. ” The samples of tent were sweet and highly alcoholic wines, one sample containing as much as 40 per cent, of proof spirit. This wine had evidently been strongly brandied, no natural wine containing anything like this proportion of alcohol. The number and variety of these so-called unfermented wines testify to a large demand for articles of this class, but my examinations point t o the necessity of a very careful discretion in their selection. Three samples of water taken from the lodge of a manufactory were so highly con- taminated with sewage matter as to make them dangerous to health. The report was adopted.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8800500203

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

212 THE ANALYST. LAW REPORTS. What Addition of Water Constitutes Adulteration :- Thomas Noddle, a milk dealer, of Mount Street, Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorks., was recently summoned for selling adulterated milk. The town clerk, Mr. W. T. McGowen appeared in support of the summons, and Mr. Berry represented the defendant. Inspector Chambers said that on the 6th September, he went to the defendant’s house and purchased a pint of milk from Noddle’s daughter. He submitted the sample to Mr. Rimmington, Borough Analyst, who certified that ia his opinion the milk had been adulterated by the addition of 5 per cent. of water. I n cross-examination by Mr, Berry, witness said that he gave a penny for the pint of milk. The girl did not tell him it was Sunday’s milk. For the defence Mr.Berry called the defendant’s daughter, who stated that Inspector Chambers asked her for a pint of new milk, but that she told him they had no new milk, and gave him some of the previous day’s, which had had the cream skimmed off. The Chairman said it was drawing the matter very finely to prosecute when the milk was adulterated to the extent of 5 per cent. only. The summons would be dismissed. The Town Clerk said he would ask the Bench if he was to understand that where milk was adulterated to the extent of not more than 5 per cent. it would be necessary for him to bring cases into Court. The Chairman stated that the Bench were divided in their opinion as to the present case. Mr. Gurney was of opinion that an addition of 5 per cent. of water was adulteration, whilst he (the Chair- man) believed that the thinness of the milk might be caused by poor pasturage.Mr. Gurney said that if the analyst were to come into Court and swear that five parts of water in 100 had been added to the milk, he would feel no hesitation whatever in convicting. He considered that a man had no right to adulterate a little any more than he had to adulternte a great deal. The Town Clerk again asked for their Worships’ instructions as to what course he should adopt in similar cases in future. Mr. Berry complained that the Town Clerk was trying his best to terrorise the Bench. Mr. Mossman explained that the summons was dismissed because the Bench were divided in opinion. Analyst’s Certificate as to Milk must be in Exact Words of Act as to No Change having taken place in Sample.Conviction on Certificate not so Worded, Quashed on Appeal :- This was an appeal by Mr. Peart against the deciqion of the Clerkenwell police magistrate. Mr. Besley was counsel for the appellant; and Mr. Mend for the respondent, the sitting magistrate at Clerkenwell. The appellant, Mr. Isaac Peart, farming 600 acres in Hertfordshire, and having a herd of about 80 cows, supplied every morning two churns to Mr. Edwards, a milk dealer of Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park. The price was 1s. 9d. for 17 pints, which is a “ barn ” gallon, and the seller paid carriage t o Finsbury Park station, receiving payment for the milk supplied every fortnight. This arrangement had been in existence about two years, and on the 60h of July, on the arrival of the churns at Finsbury Park Station, Mr.Edwards caused one to be sealed, and telegraphed to Mr. Peart that at six o’clock in the the evening samples for analysis would be taken. Mr. Peart’s son attended, and the samples were taken. On the 7th of July, Dr. Tidy, the Public Analyst, received one sample, and on the 12th of July gave a certificate that he found 17 per cent. of added water. On the 24th of July, Parish, who is employed by the Dairymen’s Protection Association, to which Mr. Edwards belongs, visited Mr. Peart at his farm, and on the 28th of July a summons was taken out for the offence under section 6 of the Act of 1875, in which Mr. Edwards was described as the prosecutor. The hearing was on the 11th of August, and Mr. Barstow decided against several legal objections, and fined Mr.Peart the maximum penalty of $20 and costs. The case was partly heard on Saturday, the 16th October, and adjourned until to-day (23rd), when, at the conclusion of the evidence for the respondent, it was decided upon a point of law, and Mr. Peart and his witnesses were not called, and the merits, as far as Mr. Peart was concerned, were not gone into. The objection was this. The Act of 1875 requires a number of conditions precedent to the taking proceedings for any penalty, and one is that when the Public Analyst has issued his certificate the purchaser may take proceedings, and must take them in a reasonable time, and the certificate must ‘‘ specify whether any change had taken place in the constitution of the article SO as to interfere with the analysis.” Dr.Tidy having certified that the milk was fresh when delivered to him, omitted to report specially as required. M i . Besley submitted that the summons having issued, and the adjudication followed upon an informal certificate, the conviction could not be sustained. After hearing Mr. Mead, contra, and considering their decision in private, The Assistant-Judge said that the very precise provisions of the statute with respect to the certificate of the analyst-requiring a ‘‘ special report ” as to certain matters-were obviously intended for the protection of the seller. Those provisions would be practically a dead letter, if an informal and insufticient certificate, such as that upon which the conviction proceeded in the present case, might be MIDDLE S E X S E S S I O N S . Against this conviction the appeal was brought.THE ANALYST. 213 amended and supplemented by viva voce evidence given upon an appeal heard possibly several months afte-wards. The conviction mould, therefore, be quashed, but as the omission mas that of the public officer, there would be no order as to costs. Several prosecntions for selling adulterated milk having failed recently in consequence of similar informality, the Assistant-Judge expressed the wish of the Bench that their decision in this case would lead to a more strict observance of the requirements of the statute. Conviction quashed without costs.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8800500212

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

THE ANALYST. 213 NOTES OF THE MONTH. There is really nothing to note this month except the amusing exposure of so-called “ temperance wine,” which, it seems, is tartaric acid, sugar and salicylic acid, and colouring matter. Some few samples, which really contained grape juice, had fermented in the bottles or casks, and so were distinctly alcoholic. We believe an attempted prosecution broke down on the point that, because tartaric acid existed in grapes, therefore it might be said to be really although indirectly produced from grapes. Here is a true story of the failure of a prosecution which had better be studied by inspectors. A man was summoned for selling adulterated milk, and the usual evidence was taken; but the inspector forgot to say that he paid for the article. Then the defence counsel says, quietly addressing the prosecutor, ‘.Yes.” “Very well ; I object that my client is summoned for selling milk, and thnrc is no evidence that it was sold before the court. Prosecuting Counsel : “ Oh, I will soon set that right.” Defending CounPel : I T IS TOO LATE, you said your case ~ n a s closed.” And it icas too late, and the milkman never forked out any money with so much joy as that which he handed to his counsel. Is that your case, Mr. -- ?” Here is another hint to inspectors. A milkman, about to deliver milk at a large parochial establishment, suddenly notices the inspector lying in wait to demand a sample. and so off he drives. The inspector follows, and about 100 yards away he arrests the horse and insists on a sample, which was found to be somewhat more than half water.But in court the case breaks down beoause the Act says the sample shall be taken at the place of delivery, and this was obtained 100 yards away! So inspectors sent to catchh a man delivering at a certain place may, in future, save their legs and wind, for it is no use trying to take the sample if he once drives off before they have time to demand it at the place itself. We commend to the careful attention of all Public Analysts the important decision (reported on another page) by the magistrates at the Middlesex Scisioi~s, :md especially the remarks of the Assistant Judge in giving the decision. The amlyst had stated in his certificate that a milk was quite fresh when brought to him, that he analyzed it immediatdy, and that it contained 17 per cent.of added water. This might have been considered Iiy most people a reasonable compliance with the provisions of the Act, but the verlclor, uhu was convicted and fined, appealed, a d the conviction was quashed on the ground of the exact words of the Act not having been used, that (6 no change had taken place in the con- stitution of the sample that mould interfere with the analysis.” Of course the legislature may have intended that these exact words should always be used, and not words to a sirniltir effect, though we have our doubts about such an intention ; but as this appeal decision will, no doubt, govern all future oases, it behoves all Public Analysts to be more car+ful in future, and adhere literally to the strict letter of the law.214 THE ANALYST .PUBLIC ANALYST FOR MONTR0sE.-At a meeting of the Public Commissioners of Montrose the chairman pointed out that. notwithstanding the fact that the Sale of Food and Drugs Act had been in force since 1875. no steps had been taken by the Board to put it in force in the burgh . He thought it was high time that something should be done regarding it . I n other burghs in Forfarshire the question had been taken up. and persons who had infringed the Act had been punished ; and he thought there was nothing more diabolical than the adulteration of food and drugs . The attention of the Superintendent of Police had been directed to the matter. and a report upon it from that gentleman was submitted to the meeting . After some discussion it was resolved to appoint Mr . Macdougald.Dundee. Public Analyst for the burgh on the same terms as were paid him by the Porfar authorities-namely. 7s . 6d . for each sample analysed by him. and a guinea per day. besides travelling expenses. when giving evidence in court . RECENT CHEMICAL PATENTS . The following specifications have been recently published. and can be obtained from the Great Seal Office. Cursitor Street. Chancery Lane. London . 73 W . J . Menzies . . . . Utilizing Caustic Soda for Household Use 2d 1880 Name of Patentee . Title of Patent . Price . No . 791 A . P . Chamberlain . . . . Manufacture of Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 804 C . Von Buch . . . . . . Crystallization of Carbon . . . . . . . . . . 2d . 830 C . Von Buch . . . . . . Obtaining Crystallization of Carbon .. . . . . 2d . 832 R . T . Brougham . . . . Electric Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 842 A . M . Clark . . . . . . Producing Electric Light . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 847 J . H . Wolfram . . . . . . Production of Collodio-Bromide of Silver Emulsion .. 4d . 849 H . J . Haddan . . . . . . Dynamo-Electric Machines . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 850 D . H . Dade purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 861 W . Spence . . . . Refining Saccharine Vegetable Juice. Muscovy Sugar. &c 4d 896 J . P . Rickman . . . . . . Manufacture of Ammonia and its Compounds . . . . 6d . 925 J . H . Guest . . . . . . Electric Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 941 R . 11 . Courtenay . . . . . . Telephonic Apparatus . . . . . . . . . . 2d . 1151 R . H . Courtenay .. . . . . Muro-Telephonic Apparatus . . . . . . . . . . 2d . 952 S . Pitt . . . . . . . . Manufacture of Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . 2d . 967 S . Clift . . .. Manufacture of Coal Tar Products 2d 976 6d . 987 Sir H . and A . G . Bessemer .. 1reatment and Manufacture of Iron . . . . . . 8d . 993 W . J . Williams . . . . . . Treatment and Manufacture of Phosphates . . . . 4d . 1004 J . H . Johnson . . . . . . Production of Cyanides of Metals of Alkaline Earths .. 4d . 1051 F . M . Lyte . . . . . . Treatment of Ores. &c . . . . . . . . . . . 10d . 1078 A . Chapman . . . . . . Apparatus for Recovering Soda Ash from Waste Liquors 6d 1081 F . H . Higgins . . . . . . Obtaining Ammoniaand Ammoniacal Salts from Urine.&c . 6d . 1086 J . H . Johnson . . . . . . Telephonic Apparatus .. . . . . . . . . 2d . 1088 F . G . Hwvey . . . . . . Treating Cane Juice for Evaporating Purposes . . . . 6d . 1119 W . Foulis . . . . . . Purifying and Cleansing Gases . . . . . . . . 2d . 1136 J . H . Johnson . . . . . . Magneto-Electric and Dynamo-Electric Machines 4d 1149 S . Pitt . . . . . . . . Manufacture of Zinc White and Metrtllic Zinc 6d 1178 J . Perry . . . . . . . . Dynamo or Magneto Electric Machine . . . . . . 6d . 1239 E . Quin . . . . . . . . Composition as a Substitute for India Rubber 2d 1259 J . H . Johnson . . . . . . Electro-Magnetic Motors. &c . . . . . . . . . 6d . 1266 C . D . Abel . . . . . . Clarifying and Drying Loaf Sugar . . . . . . . . 6d . 1298 C . D . Abel . . . . . . Manufacture of Wrought Iron . . . . .. . . 4d . 1286 J . H . Johnson . . . . . . Telephones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6d . 1305 W . R . Lake . . . . . . Treating Woven Fabrics . . . . . . . . . . 2d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Application of Silicate Cotton or Slag Wool to various . . 872 D . G . Pitzgerald' . . . . . Magneto-Electric and Dynamo-Electric Machines .. 6d . 907 F . H . Engel . . . . . . Husking or Decorticating Corn . . . . . . . . 6d . 917 W . R . Lake . . . . . . Manufacture of Preserved or Condensed Milk . . . . 4d . . . . . . . . . . W . Jones and J . Walsh' ' . . Furnaces for Manufacture of Sulphates of Soda & Potash 1019 T . Twynan . . . . . . Manufacture of Magnesia . . . . . . . . . . 2d . 1032 J . Wadsvorth . . . . . . Utilizing Excrementitious Matter . . . . . . . . 8d . 1034 E . Edmonds . . . . . . Carburetting Air . . . . . . . . . . . . 4d . 1058 H . Wiggin and A . S . Johnstone 4d . Treating Nickel and Cobalt . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . BOOKS. &c., RECEIVED . The Chemist and Druggist; The Rrewers' Guardian ; The British Medical Journal ; The Medical Press ; The Pharmaceutical Journal; The Sanitary Record; The Miller; Journal of Applied Science ; The Boston Journal of Chemistry ; The Provisioner ; The Practitioner ; New Remedies ; Proceedings of the American Chemical Society ; Le Practicien ; The Inventors' Record ; New York Public Health ; The Scientific American ; Society of Arts Journal ; Sanitary Engineer of New York ; The Cowkeeper and Dairyman's Journal ; The Chemists' Journal .

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN8800500213

出版商:RSC    

年代:1880

数据来源: RSC