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for analysis, and the Government chemists certified that the results of
their analysis were not inconsistent with the milk being a genuine sample.
The magistrates accepted the Somerset House certificate, and dismissed
the summons.
In four cases of adulteration (added water 103 per cent., added water
7-2 per cent., skimmed milk 13.4 per cent., skimmed milk 10 per cent.) no
proceedings were taken because the vendors were protected by warranties,
and in the remaining 6 cases of adulteration (fat abstracted 7 per cent,
and added water 2-1 per cent., added water 2.4, 2.1, 4.2, and 7.l per cent,
respectively) no proceedings were taken owing to the slight amount of
adulteration, or to the very small business carried on and the absence of
previous convictions. The adulterated milks formed 5.65 per cent, of the
total number of samples analysed, as compared with 7.6 per cent, in 1908.
Of butter, 163 samples were taken, 160 being returned as genuine and
3 (18 per cent.) as adulterated. No proceedings were taken in 2 cases
owing to the slight extent of adulteration—8.8 and 8 per cent, of foreign
fat; whilst the third sample, which was pure margarine, was purchased
by a private person and brought to the office for analysis. Of margarine,
5 samples were taken, all being genuine. Of cream, 1 sample was
analysed ; it was genuine cream, but contained 13 grains of boric acid per
pound. Of cheese, 9 samples were taken, all being genuine.
Of coffee, 18 samples were taken, 15 being genuine and 3 adulterated.
Two of the adulterated samples were sold as " mixtures " (38 and 40 per
cent, of chicory), and 1 sample was certified to contain 5 per cent, of
chicory only. No proceedings were taken in any of these cases. Of
pepper, 9 samples were taken, all being genuine. Of brandy, 9 samples
were taken, all being genuine ; and of whisky, 9 samples, 7 samples being
genuine and 2 adulterated. The adulterated samples contained 6 and 8 per
cent, of added water respectively. No proceeding were taken, as notices
of " dilution " had been displayed at the places of sale of the spirits.
Water Supply.
From the reports of Dr. Houston, Director of Water Examinations,
Metropolitan Water Board, it appears that for the year ending 31st
October, 1909, on an average the number of samples of Chelsea filtered
water yielding negative results as regards typical Bacillus Coli (the
common intestinal micro-organism), was 93, when 100 c.c. of water are
taken as the basis of bacterioscopic examination, the corresponding figure
for the previous year being 96. The worst months of the year were
January (30 per cent, of the samples gave a positive result as regards
B. Coli), and March (22 per cent, gave positive results); and the best
months were February, April and May, when all the samples examined
proved negative to the B. Coli test.
The results, as regards the Chelsea water, are quite equal to those
given by any of the other filtered waters of the Thames, but are suggestive
of the excretal pollutions the Thames is liable to as a source of supply of
drinking water. In a water which is perfectly unpolluted by sewage or
excremental bacteria, typical Bacillus Coli should be invariably absent from
every 100 c.c. of water examined.