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228
purchaser of sample 19, while the purchaser of sample 60 had
received his milk denuded of its fair share of cream. Such an
argument the Magistrate adjudicates upon; it does not come
within the province of the Analyst. The responsibility of fairly
distributing the milk rests upon the vendor, and, while a certain
range of upward and of downward variation must be allowed
for, milks which fall distinctly below a fixed limit of downward
variation in the amount of their milk-solids, must be
pronounced adulterated. Milks which I have to adjudge
adulterated I thereupon certify as containing such percentage of
" added water " as would dilute a fair average milk down to
their point.
To this question of " Standards " great consideration has been
given by recent Parliamentary Committees, and probably, at an
early date, legislation will follow, by which a board of experts
and referees will settle the standards at which such articles
should be sold, and fix the limit of downward variation which
it is permissible to excuse. It is much to be desired that such
standards should be settled as will promote uniformity in
analytical judgments and relieve the Analyst from anxiety as
to the inferences which should attach to the facts disclosed
by his analyses.
I have the honour to remain,
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
Your obdient Servant,
JAMES EDMUNDS.
28, Dover Street, Piccadilly.