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"the codlin moth, will also destroy any leaf-eating caterpillars
"such as those of the winter moths, which may be present."
The appearance of such large quantities of lead arsenate as these
samples revealed, is probably due to the fact that the spraying took
place too late, though the growers have attributed it to continuous
drought following the spraying. Of course, it is probable that heavy
rain will have the effect of removing the dangerous excess of spray
but this cannot be relied on, especially in the less rainy regions from
which many of the apples come. It is interesting to note that the
Analyst reported that the arsenic was present in the whole of the
apple. Of course, the greater part was on the skin; but a test on an
jnside cut showed that this substance had penetrated into the centre of
the apple.
The presence of arsenic in the flesh of the apple is of particular
interest, and authorities are not agreed how it gets there; but it may
be from absorption from the core, though our Analyst is of opinion
it is due to penetration through the skin.
Following this occurrence, persistent inspection of apples was
made all over the Borough, and in 9 instances arsenic was found to be
present. Prosecutions were undertaken in seven cases, and convictions
were obtained in two instances, the rest being dismissed under the
Probation of Offenders Act, on payment of considerable costs (£48 6s.).
The majority of the samples taken were "Jonathan" or "Newtown"
pippins: they came from the United States of America; all were
sound and of good appearance, but many possessed a bloom not
natural to an apple, in fact so thick was it that it was visible and
could be scraped together with the point of a knife. No arsenic was
reported in English apples.
It may be inferred by some people that the small amount of arsenic
present in many samples cannot constitute a danger; in fact, the
Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning, issued in 1903, states:—
"In our view it would be entirely proper that penalties should
"be imposed under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts upon
"any vendor of food—no matter whether it is habitually
"consumed in large or small quantities, or whether it is taken
"by itself or mixed with water or other substances—if
"the substance is shown by an adequate test to contain 1/100 the
"grain of arsenic or more in the pound."
But it must be borne in mind that there are some members of the
community, especially boys, who eat large quantities of apples at one