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It will be observed that there are a number of firms who do not pay sufficient
attention to the requirements of the Act, as to the form of the guarantee to be given.
The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Regulation, 1932, which in some particulars
amended the Act of 1926, contained a clause to the effect that the application of
the names " feeding meat meal " and " feeding meat and bone meal " shall not be
applied to articles containing less than 55 per cent and less than 40 per cent. albuminoids
(protein), respectively. During the year 2 samples of meat meal and 5
samples of meat and bone meal have been reported upon adversely for contravening
this regulation. Two samples of linseed cake were found to contain small quantities
of castor seed and were reported as being unsuitable for use as feeding stuffs. It
appears to be the custom in the trade to regard the presence of castor bean, in
amounts of not more than .006 per cent., as harmless, but having regard to the very
poisonous nature of the seed and to its uneven distribution throughout the bulk, it
is unwise to pass any sample as satisfactory if castor bean is found in any quantity.
It is a large seed and is very easily removed from smaller seeds by screening.
Several samples supplied as fish meal were commented on as containing a small
proportion of mammalian bone meal.
Though in the majority of cases the deficiencies were not great, the classification
of the results in the above table indicates that on the whole they were rather worse
than last year, the proportion of samples deficient under the guarantee being somewhat
larger. The need for continued inspection and examination is thus emphasised.
A regular chemical and bacteriological examination has been made of the drinking
water at those institutions of the Council which derive their supplies from private
wells, and water from other sources has been tested when required. During the
year 187 samples have been examined chemically and 531 bacteriologically from
39 institutions, in 12 of which chlorinating plants are in operation. Three of these
have been installed during 1935 in consequence of a slight degree of intermittent
pollution which was found to occur in each case, though no immediate local cause
was discovered. It is a recognised fact that in fissured formations, whether of chalk,
limestone or sandstone, wells may yield water of unsatisfactory bacteriological
quality, the pollution occurring at a source which may be several miles distant.
Whether contamination is active or not may depend on several factors such as
rainfall and the level of the underground water ; but, in an area such as that around
London, the increase in population in the outer, semi-rural, districts with their, in
many cases, rather primitive methods of sewage disposal, obviously creates potential
sources of pollution of the water drawn from wells. At four institutions a thorough
cleaning and chlorinating of the tanks or reservoirs was recommended, and after
this treatment the quality of the water again became satisfactory. In one instance
the repair of an underground reservoir was recommended to prevent the access of
surface water drainage and consequent pollution.
Drinking
water
supply.