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SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS. 43
Adulteration of this food was on a larger scale during the war period than before the
war,
Milk is the only food of which samples are taken on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
During 1914-18, 396 samples were taken on those days, 352 on Sundays and 44 on Bank
Holidays, the number found adulterated among the former being 21 (5'9 per cent.) and those
among the latter 7 (15*9 percent.)—the total adulterated samples (28) forming 17'8 per cent.,,
or 6"5 per cent, more than the general bulk of milk samples.
Milk in Transit.—Samples are taken at the railway stations on request of the consignees,
such request being consequent on the unsatisfactory results of private analyses. Having
regard to the increase in the higher proportion of samples reported during 1914-18 to be
adulterated, it might have been expected that local milk vendors would have made freer use
of the check afforded by station sampling. The returns, however, show that there was a
decrease of some 12£ per cent, in the number of samples taken in transit, the figures being—
1914-18 265 samples taken, 104 adulterated, equal to 39'2 per cent.
1909-13 337 „ „ 100 29.6
The annual figures are here set out. They again show a larger amount of adulteration
during the war period, becoming progressively worse towards the end.

After deducting the number of samples taken in transit from the totals previously
reported, it appears that the proportions of adulterated samples sold in the Borough were
4.3 per cent, during 1909-13 and (3.1 per cent. during 1914-18.
Preservatives in Foods.—During the five years 30 samples of foods and beverages were
found to contain preservatives, either salicylic acid or boric acid. The samples comprised
(see also below) 1 of " fresh " cream containing 21 grains of boric acid to the pound ; 5 of lime
juice cordial, containing salicylic acid in amounts varying from 4½ to 11¾ If grains per pint; 6 of
brawn containing from 2 to 11 9/16 grains of boric acid to the pound; 8 of sausages containing
the same preservative to the extent of from 3½ to 11½ grains per pound; and 10 of
German sausages with from 2 1/10 to 21 grains of boric acid to the pound. Even if the use
of preservatives be recognised as necessary—a very arguable point—no amount of argument
will justify such wide variations in the quantities used. Legal proceedings in cases
of this character are notoriously hazardous and costly. It is time that the question was
fully gone into and settled by the legislature.

Arsenic in Foodstuffs.—In October, 1916, a sample of baking powder was found to
contain arsenic (in amount equivalent to 9—ten thousandths of a grain per ounce), and in
the following month the same poison (87—one hundred thousandth of a grain per ounce) in
g2