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probably will not occur once in a hundred samples of milk ;
also that the average of that hundred samples would yield
9.3 per cent. of solids not fat,
"In case then a sample of milk is so low as to be worse than
even this limit of very poor milk, and must therefore be
declared adulterated with water, the question arises—Are
we to assume that the milk before adulteration was milk of
average quality ; or must we assume that it was the very
poorest milk ?
"Remember, it is impossible to tell by analysis what kind of
milk was used. It is therefore a matter of probability only.
Surely, the only commonsense assumption is that the milk
used was of average quality, since probably 99 samples of
this occur for one sample of very poor milk.
" The Somerset House Authorities state the per centage of
water which must have been added if this poorest possible
milk had been used. Thus, in this case they say, ' Not less
than 5 per cent. of added water' is present, that is to say, 5
parts added water, and 95 parts excessively poor milk (abnormally
poor) would produce a sample equal to this.
"This mode of stating the case is in perfect accord with the
statement I make, since the poorest milk differs by about 10
per cent. from average milk, which I have assumed was used.
Therefore such a mixture as above would about equal 15
parts added water, and 85 parts milk of average quality.
"The Somerset House Authorities are, in my judgment, wrong
in taking so low a standard of pure milk. In this opinion
I am supported by the practice of the Public Analysts
throughout the country, and especially by the Society of
Public Analysts, which has indicated, after some thousands
of analyses, performed by Members of the Society, that 9.3
per cent. of solids not fat, may be taken as the standard for
pure milk, and that any sample yielding less than 9 per cent.
of solids not fat, must be regarded as adulterated.
"The Adulteration Act expressly states than an article is to
be considered adulterated if it is not of the nature, substance
and quality demanded; and I maintain that an abnormally
poor milk containing only nine-tenths the nourishing power
it should contain, does not fulfil this requirement, and is,
therefore, adulterated.
"The effect of the referees taking so low a standard is that the
milk sellers throughout the country will be able to adulterate
their milk to the extent of 10 per cent. without fear of
consequences.