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165
The preservative most usually employed in samples
of this character is apparently a mixture of Boric Acid
and Borax. In the articles enumerated above the
amount of preservative found calculated in terms of
crystallised Boric Acid varied from a maximum of 41
grains to a minimum of three grains per pound. The
average amount found was about 176 per cent., i.e.,
12 grains per pound.
In cases where very small quantities were present
the samples were usually mixtures such as Chicken
and Ham, Veal and Ham, &c., and in all probability
only one of the constituents had been originally
treated with the preservative. It is evident that the
addition of Boric Acid is not really necessary as so
many of the preparations examined were in good
condition and quite free from this substance.
The percentage of adulteration for the year in the
case of Milk is I4.06 compared with 8'8 for the
preceeding year. Butter shows an adulteration
percentage of 26.6 as compared with 24 5 for last
year.
The percentage of adulteration calculated from
the Local Government Board Returns for the whole
Metropolis for the year 1905 was Io.9 per cent. in the
case of Milk and 9.3 in the case of Butter.
In addition to the articles taken under the Sale
of Food and Drugs Acts, I have examined two samples
of Carbolic Powder, submitted by the Borough Surveyor,
and one sample of deposit from turbine steam
chest and one of pipe scale from the Borough
Engineer.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
P. A. ELLIS RICHARDS,
Public Analyst.
Chemical Laboratory,
Charing Cross Hospital,
W.C.