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33
The adulterated milks formed 15 per cent. of the total number of
milks analysed, as compared with 5 6 per cent. in 1909.
Of butter, 154 samples were taken, 151 being returned as genuine,
and 3 (2 per cent.) as adulterated. No proceedings were taken in two
cases, owing to the very slight extent of adulteration—3.6 per cent. and
0.44 per cent. of excess of water. The third adulterated sample contained
100 per cent. of margarine, but no proceedings were taken, as the
Analyst's certificate was not duly authenticated.
Of margarine, 9 samples were taken, all being genuine ; of cheese,
18 samples, all genuine ; of lard, 18 samples, all genuine ; of mustard, 9
samples, all genuine ; of pepper, 9 samples, all genuine ; and of brandy,
9 samples, all genuine. Of 27 samples of coffee, 26 were genuine and
1 adulterated. The latter contained 50 per cent. of chicory, but was
labelled as a mixture so as to comply with the Act. Of 9 samples of
whisky, 8 were genuine and 1 adulterated, the sample being 10.35 per
cent. under proof below the limit, but a notice of dilution was displayed
at the place of sale in accordance with the Act.
Water Supply,
From the reports of Dr. Houston, Director of Water Examinations,
Metropolitan Water Board, it appears that for the year ending 30th
November, 1910, on an average the number of samples of Chelsea filtered
water yielding negative results as regards typical Bacillus Coli (the
common intestinal micro-organism), was 92 per cent., when 100 c.c. of
water are taken as the basis of bacterioscopic examination, the corresponding
figure for the previous year being 93. The worst months of the year
were August (20 per cent. of the samples gave a positive result as regards
B. Coli), and February (15 per cent. gave positive results); and the best
months were March and April, when all the samples examined proved
negative to the B. Coli test.
The results, as regards the Chelsea water, are quite equal to those
given by any of the other filtered waters of the Thames, but are suggestive
of the excretal pollutions the Thames is liable to as a source of supply of
drinking water. In a water which is perfectly unpolluted by sewage or
excremental bacteria, typical Bacillus Coli should be invariably absent
from every 100 c.c. of water examined.