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226
Details of the analyses are shown in the table annexed. In
no case has the results of the analysis been disputed.
No money or consideration, other than the stipend paid
by the Vestry, has been received by me in connection with
these analyses.
The subject of Standards with regard to certain articles, is
still unsettled and continues to give anxiety as to legal contention
in certifying the inferences which the Analyst may think to
follow upon the facts discovered by the analysis. For instance,
in the case of Milk, water is naturally one of the constituents,
although it is the Milk Solids which give to the milk its value,
and for which the milk is purchased. In different milks the
proportions of water vary according to the breed and the
individual peculiarities of the cow, t he food, general management,
and even the method of milking. To these factors of uncertainty
may be added perfectly honest carelessness in the sale and
distribution of the milk. Of course, the cream rises to the top
of milk which stands long in a milk shop, or is carried about in
a milk can. Unless such milk be frequently stirred up, one
customer may receive an unduly large proportion of cream, while
the customers that follow will receive a milk which lacks its
proper proportion of cream. In particular cases, one or more of
these facts have to be anxiously considered by the Analyst
before making up his judgment and certifying as to the amount
of added water which an adulterated milk contains. But if
milks were only certified as adulterated, when they fall absolutely
below the lowest possible downward variation in the
amount of milk solids, the Adulteration Act would be a dead
letter. Again, the essence of Vinegar for pickling and other
purposes is "the real Acetic Acid" which it contains. In the
three Vinegars (Nos. 26, 27 & 28 of the table annexed), it
will be observed that one tradesman in the parish sells a good
proof vinegar, containing 6 per cent. of real Acetic Acid, while
another tradesman sells a vinegar containing only 3.5 per cent.
In some samples the Acetic Acid falls to 30 per cent. Here the
facts of the-analysis show only the constituents of the sample.