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borough of high reputation, an offer was made to the owner to
secure the opinion of one of these firms as to the suitability of
these apples for this purpose. The contention behind this suggestion
was that in the process of boiling the fruit to make jam,
the products of decomposition would be boiled away and that
no harm could result if the apples were released for this purpose.
It is significant that this offer was refused by the owner of the
apples.
I was then requested by the owner to submit samples to the
Public Analyst for his opinion. This I refused, on the ground that
a "blown" tin is in my opinion a bad tin, and that a chemical
analysis would neither fortify that opinion if favourable to me,
nor modify my view if favourable to him. Under these circumstances
the owner submitted samples to his own analyst, and I
instructed the Inspector to seize the whole consignment of 613
cartons and take it before a magistrate.
The report from the analyst to the owner is in the following
terms:—
"We have carefully examined the specimens of canned
apples which you handed to us on the Ist November. One of the
tins appeared to be quite normal, but the other was "blown".
The object of our investigation was to discover the cause and
significance of this state.
Taking the blown tin, we collected the excess of gas, which
amounted to 37ml. and this upon analysis was found to consist
of nearly pure hydrogen. There was no carbon dioxide. The
fruit itself appeared to be in sound condition; there was no
evidence of mouldiness or decomposition of any kind.
Chemical tests showed the presence of free iron (as distinct
from the iron which is naturally combined in fruit) and the
condition of the tin plate showed that it had been considerably
etched by the acid of the fruit. The determination of the tin
present in the fruit showed 0.6 grain per lb., which is not
excessive. The reason for this comparatively low figure is
doubtless to be found in the large weight of fruit as compared
with the tin plate surface. Bacteriological tests were made on the