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68
characteristics of such, whilst all showed no trace of
metallic or arsenical contamination and had a satisfactory
content of acetic acid.
Cordials, Wines and Spirits.
Of six fruit cordials, one whisky, one wine and one
lemonade crystals, only one was adulterated. This was a
sample sold as lemon squash, consisting of a crystalline
powder containing 3.7 per cent. of citric acid with sugar,
colouring matter and lemon flavouring 96.3 per cent. It
had, therefore, the composition of the article usually sold
as " lemonade crystals," but in view of the low amount
of citric acid present was a poor specimen even of that.
Drugs.
Forty-two specimens of drugs comprising sixteen
different articles were taken during the year. Four failed
to comply with the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia.
Two samples of ammoniated tincture of quinine
were deficient in ammonia to the extent of 44 per cent.
and 20 per cent. respectively; a sample of strong tincture
of iodine consisted of the weak tincture; and a sample of
zinc ointment was deficient in zinc oxide, there being
present only 14 per cent. in place of the required 15 per
cent.
A new Act, the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1983,
received the King's signature on June 28th last. It is
divided into three parts; the first relating to pharmacy
and pharmacists, the second to poisons generally and the
third to miscellaneous matters. Parts II and III affect
the work of Local Authorities and of Public Analysts
appointed by them.
Part II of the Act is designed to control the sale of
poisons. An Advisory Committee, to be known as the
Poisons Board, is to draw up a Poisons List consisting of