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60
Importation of citrons in cask were especially looked after, and accordingly
on the 10th March a sample of brine in which citrons (from Messina)
were pickled, was sent to the analyst, Dr. Teed, who reported as follows:—
Free ammonia 0.2604 grains per gallon.
Albuminoid ammonia 0.7616 „ „
"Herewith the result of the examination of the brine. My difficulty
is this—there are several factors by which we determine whether sewage
is in a natural water.
Free ammonia.
Albuminoid ammonia.
Oxygen absorbed.
Chlorine.
But in this case chlorine would give no indication, and the other three
factors (oxygen absorbed by the way cannot be determined in the
presence of such an excess of salt) merely give an index to the amount
of organic matter without reference to its origin.
"I have tried the specific gravity which is 1054, whereas salt water is
about 1.032. This shows that if the brine is made from sea water there
is added salt present. The figure for free ammonia is lower than the
usual one for sewage, so that I can say that the brine is not made from
undiluted sewage.
"If we had a series of figures for citrons preserved in brine of known
purity, it might be possible to give a more definite opinion, but in our
present state of knowledge I am unable to say anything more definite."
As it was not possible to declare by the results of analysis whether the
citrons were shipped in water containing sewage, it was not worth while
taking further samples of the brine.
The lemon peel, however, would probably be sterilized in the subsequent
process of manufacture, so that there is little probability of any danger to
public health arising from the consumption thereof, yet there remains the
sentimental objection—which is probably as important to some people as the
possibility of injurious consequences to health.
LARD.
Importations of lard have received special attention.
The United States Inspectors only allow lard, which has been obtained
from hogs condemned on account of disease or other causes to be exported in
casks, &c., whitened on the ends and marked "inedible" or "non-edible."