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294
1910]
per lb., or an equivalent of 0.5 per cent I also find that in 1907, Professor
Klein, the well-known bacteriologist, reported to the Incorporated Society
of the London Meat Trades, that in his opinion provided the conditions
as to the locality, general cleanliness, character of the meats and the bread
are satisfactory, 1½ ounces of boric preservative per 25 lbs., or 26 24 grains of
preservative to the lb. of sausage material, should be the minimum quantity.
I also find that in an important case heard at Burnley the same authority
gave evidence, and stated that he found that 2G grains of boracic acid per lb.
of sausage were necessary to keep a sausage for four days, and that a fresh
sausage not containing a preservative would in hot weather start to
decompose in 24 hours ; also that the presence of boric acid would prohibit
a multiplication and growth of ptomaines if present in sufficient quantities.
It has never been satisfactorily proved to my mind that boracic acid
in itself has caused injury to health and, therefore, I have not as you are
aware advised prosecutions because of its addition to food Nevertheless
I am of opinion that when this chemical is added to foods, it should not
exceed the amount required to keep that food in a good condition for three
or four days; that is to say, sufficiently long to enable the vendor to keep
a perishable article in good condition. These is, however, another side to the
question, and it is that no vendor of food shall be allowed to dose persons
with chemicals which might possibly affect them. It is one thing to add
sufficient for temporary preservative purposes, and another to add them in
unnecessary quantities. In any case there should be a declaration as to
the use of a preservative and its quantity per lb.
In this case there can be no question as to the effect of the excessive
addition of boracic acid, and I think that in such cases the Courts would
uphold a prosecution.
In these circumstances I have to ask your instructions with respect to
this sample.
I am,
Your faithful servant,
A. E. HARRIS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall, Islington, N.,
18th July, 1910.