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During the past year arrangements have been made for the co-operation of
the medical officers of health for the areas in which the Council's schools and
institutions are situated. One result of this scheme has been that the Council has
had the advantage of receiving the results of the examination of 99 samples of milk
bacteriologically and 181 chemically. An analysis of these results shows that all the
samples were chemically satisfactory. The bacterial examinations, however,
showed that 30 out of 99 samples failed to comply with the conditions laid down
in the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923.
The co-operation of the local medical officers of health also has the special
advantage that, in suitable cases, legal action can be taken by the local authorities
under statutory powers conferred upon them under the various Orders issued by
the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and under the Adulteration of Foods Act.
Drugs.

Urine.
Samples submitted as zinc sulphate were found to consist entirely of magnesium
sulphate. A sample labelled " calamine prseparata B.P.C." contained no zinc
carbonate, but 25 per cent, of calcium carbonate. Two samples supplied as oleum
menthce piperita B.P. were found to consist entirely of the Japanese oil from mentha
arvensis, and as such were rejected, since the British Pharmacopaeia requires that
this substance shall be derived from fresh-flowering mentha piperitce.
Since the retirement of the Council's medical examiner in February, 1931, the
medical examinations have been carried out by the Council's medical staff at County
Hall. The urine analyses required have been done in the chemical laboratory.
During the year 1,180 specimens have been examined for sugar and albumen, and
in many cases for casts, blood cells, etc., in addition.
Graphitic
deterioration
of iron water
pipes.
The cast-iron water pipes laid in the clay soil at a residential school had burst
in many places when subjected to a higher pressure of water than usual. Investigation
of sections of pipe showed that failure was attributable to erosion and partial
removal of iron by the action of salts in the soil. A remarkable feature of this kind
of deterioration is that, except where bursts have occurred, the pipes retain their
form, the mixture of graphite and oxides, etc., of iron left occupying the same
volume as the original metal, although being soft enough to be cut with a knife.
Forceps.
stainless steel forceps, for surgical use in the hospitals, were examined as the
result of complaints that certain forceps did not retain their lustre on sterilising by
boiling water. Advice was given as to the prevention of this and as to the preservation
of their rust-resisting properties.