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frequently found in snuff, lead and mercurial salts in sweets,
enormous quantities of copper in bottled fruits, sulphide of
mercury in cayenne pepper, Venetian red in anchovies and
sauces, &c. The use of modern preservatives appeared to
follow closely upon the introduction of antiseptics in surgery
in 1870. It was in 1887 that the Lancet pointed out that the
practice of employing preservatives such as benzoate of soda,
salicylic acid, and boric acid in articles of food was increasing
to a very large extent.
Some interesting experiments with adulterated milk were
narrated by Dr. Annett, of University College, Liverpool,
before the Departmental Committee on preservatives and
colouring matters in food. Dr. Annett declared that tests he
had made on kittens with milk containing formaldehyde in
varying quantities showed that as the quantity was increased
the retarding action on their growth increased. With regard
to boracic acid, kittens treated with it in the proportion of
80 grains to a gallon of milk all died at the end of the third or
fourth week, having become considerably emaciated. He
inferred that the presence of preservatives in milk must be
injurious to, he would not ray adults, but certainly to infants.
Recently a firm was summoned for using boracic acid in
cream, and medical evidence was summoned to prove that
boracic acid was particularly injurious to young children,
and that equally good preservative results were obtainable from
cold storage or the sterilizing process. The magistrate held
that the defendants had failed to satisfy him either that the
use of boracic acid was uninjurious to health, or that it was
necessary for producing and placing clotted cream on the
market. He fined the defendants £10 10s. and £31 10s. costs.
Dr. Liebreich, a professor in the University of Berlin, who
has undertaken a series of experiments with regard to the
effects of borax and boracic acid on the human system, says:
" If harm could be done by borax and boric acid used in the
preservation of food, the immense quantities which have
already been swallowed would have aroused the attention of
medical men, particularly as boracic preservation is openly
practised, and has been unreluctantly accepted by the working
classes."
The following is a simple test for boracic acid:—
Soak the material for a few minutes in methylated
spirit and apply a light. If boracic acid is present the
alcohol will burn with a characteristic green flame. Borax,