View report page

237
[1908
It is not possible to compare the first two returns, for as pointed out the
district inspectors mainly obtained milks on Sundays, when the rate of adulteration
is about 11.9 per cent., and at Railway Stations, at which the adulteration
rate is 1.7 per cent., whereas the other inspector obtained samples of many
articles of food and drugs; and, therefore, was more likely to show a larger
percentage of adulteration among his samples. Nevertheless there can be no
doubt that if the Adulteration Acts are to be administered in a thorough
manner the duty of procuring samples must be placed on an inspector specially
detailed for the work. This has been again and again made manifest,
especially when it became necessary to detect traders who carried on their
frauds in a very cautious manner, who, in fact, would on no account sell
adulterated articles to a stranger, but who would have no compunction in
palming off on regular customers sophisticated foods. These are the class of
fraudulent dealers whom it is most desirable to detect and crush, but whom
the ordinary inspectors cannot detect, because, with the multiplicity of their other
duties, they cannot afford the time to watch them. There are many other reasons
why it is better to have this work done by a special inspector, but there is one in
particular, namely, that having only one duty he will be able to give all his
thoughts and energies to that special work, and to carefully note in the trade
and other journals the new directions in which the adulterer of food is working,
and so be prepared to meet him at the earliest moment, and spoil his evil
intent. Now that additional samples of food are analysed in Islington it is clear
that there will be ample work to engage the whole time of one inspector, and
therefore such an appointment is strongly recommended by your medical officer
of health.*
The samples obtained for analysis may be classified under the headings of
Dairy Produce, Groceries, Spirituous Drinks, and Drugs.

* Since the above remarks were printed the Borough Council at its meeting of May 20th, 1904,
decided that Inspector Ward should devote his whole time to this duty.