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46
upon the results of an isolated test when other tests of the
particular milk supply have proved satisfactory and suggested
for the consideration of the local authority, that in such cases
prosecutions should be instituted only where a series of tests
have shewn repeated default.
In May, 1923, the Minister of Health issued Circular
No. 399, withdrawing Circular No. 325 on the grounds that
it had been widely misunderstood and to some extent misrepresented,
with the result that it has not produced the effect
which was intended.
CIRCULAR 462.
This Circular was issued by the Minister of Health in
December, 1923, and deals with the sampling of milk sold in
sealed bottles and of prescribed medicines.
In view of the increasing practice of selling milk in sealed
bottles it is desirable that the attention of sampling officers
should be drawn to the difficulty which is sometimes found in
dividing a sample of bottled milk so as to secure the uniform
distribution of the milk fat throughout the three parts of the
sample. Where the cream has risen freely in the bottle or where
some of it adheres to the sides it may be found useful to decant
the milk into a larger vessel and to return a small quantity in
order to rinse out the bottle before the final mixing and division
are effected.
The Minister desires to recommend to the consideration
of the Council the following suggestions which he has received
from the Society of Public Analysts with regard to the sampling
of prescribed medicines :—
(i) That the inspector be instructed, prior to dividing the sample
into three parts, to mark, in the presence of the vendor, the