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60
one sample which contained the equivalent of 35 grains of boracic
acid to the gallon, but this was taken on May 31st, namely, the day
before the coming into operation of the Regulations, and, accordingly,
no proceedings were taken, a warning letter being sent to
the Vendor. Samples taken since from the same source have
proved satisfactory.
Proceedings were taken in 17 of these cases, and in the other
case a warning letter was sent. These proceedings resulted in fines
and costs being imposed in 13 cases; in one case a warranty was
proved to the satisfaction of the Court, and in 3 other cases the
summons had to be withdrawn as the bottles containing the third
portion of the samples had burst. Proceedings were also taken for
selling milk without being registered, which resulted in a fine of
5s. with 2s. costs.
During the year my attention was drawn to an undoubted case
of lead poisoning and two or three illnesses of a similar suspicious
character. On investigating as to the source of this limited outbreak
the only thing in common appeared to be that all the patients
were supplied with beer from one beer shop in the neighbourhood.
The patient who was most severely affected was also in the habit
of having practically the first drink from these premises in the
morning. Samples of the various beers sold from the premises
were taken first thing in the morning and were found to contain
appreciable quantities of lead. One prosecution was instituted
and a fine imposed; the proprietors have also since altered their
system of piping and no further complaint has arisen. Unfortunately
the patient who was the most severely affected died as a
result of the illness.