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&c., were reported to contain a boron preservative expressed in
terms of crystallised boric acid ranging from 5 to 12 grains per
pound of these foodstuffs.
Rice.
Twenty-three samples of rice were purchased for submission to
the Public Analyst, 5 being procured formally and 18 informally.
All these samples were reported as genuine.
Prescriptions.
Sixteen samples of compounded medicines were procured for
submission to the Public Analyst. Of the 16 samples 10 were taken
in the form prescribed by the Acts and 6 informally. Of the former
1 sample, a mixture containing iodide of potash, was reported by the
Public Analyst to be deficient to the extent of 17 per cent. of this
drug. Proceedings were taken against the chemist from whom this
sample was purchased. He was convicted and fined £2 0s. Od. and
£3 3s. Od. costs.
Butter.
During the year 147 samples of butter were submitted for
examination, 22 samples being taken in the form prescribed by the
Acts, whilst 125 were purchased informally.
Of these latter 4 were reported against by the Public Analyst, 3
as containing margarine, and 1 as containing an excess of boric acid
over the maximum permissible limit of 0.5 per cent.
Of the 147 samples submitted 41, or 27.9 per cent. contained no
preservative other than salt, whilst 106, or 72.1 per cent., contained
a boron preservative. Excluding the 4 informal samples reported as
adulterated, the average content of boron preservative expressed
in terms of crystallised boric acid proved to be 0.25 per cent.,
equivalent to 17.5 grains per pound of butter.
Margarine.
Twenty-nine samples of margarine were purchased for submission
to the Public Analyst, 12 being procured formally and 17
informally, and all were reported as genuine.
A boron preservative was present in each of the 29 samples,
the average quantity for all samples expressed as boric acid
amounting to 0.26 per cent., equivalent to 18.2 grains per pound of
margarine.
Analyst's Reports.
The following reports of the Public Analyst set out in detail the
results of the analysis of the articles submitted to him.