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48
It has been laid down that no action is necessary where the quantity of arsenic is less
than 1/100 grain per lb. It will be seen that in all the five samples 011 which arsenic was
found, the quantity was considerably less than 1/100 of a grain.
Butter.
Forty-three samples of butter were examined; one was found to contain a small excess of
water. Communications were addressed to the vendor respecting the matter and to a wholesale
dealer from whom the retailer obtained the butter. It was ascertained that the butter
was imported French butter, and communications were therefore sent to the importers from
whom satisfactory assurances were received that they were doing everything possible to keep
their goods up to the required standard, and were very particular on the question of moisture
in butter with their French shippers, having refused to do business with some who would not
give the necessary guarantee. One sample only of butter was found to contain a small
quantity of preservative, namely, boric acid. In this case letters of warning were addressed
to the dealer by whom butter was consigned to the local vendor. An assurance was received
from the wholesalers that it was their practice to buy only butter entirely free from preservative,
and that they would take every precaution possible to ensure that no fault could
be found with any delivery of butter in future. Legal proceedings were not considered
necessary in either of the above cases.
Calomel Ointment.
Five samples of calomel ointment were examined, one being reported as 51 per cent,
deficient in mercurous chloride. Proceedings were instituted against the vendor, who was
convicted and fined £5.
I11 the "Pharmaceutical Journal" for January 12th, 1929, attention was drawn by the
Medical Officer of Health to the examination at intervals during the past few years of groups
of samples of calomel oia'ment, with the almost invariable result that one or more samples in
each of such groups had l.cen found deficient in mercurous chloride; it is hoped that the
attention of pharmacists having been directed to the matter in this way, the compounding of
this ointment will in future be carried out in such manner as to ensure strict compliance with
the British Pharmacopoeia.
Glycerins of Borax.
Two samples of glycerine of borax were purchased and analysed, one being reported as
61.5 per cent. deficient in borax. Proceedings were instituted against the vendor of this
sample, who was convicted and fined £5.
Macaroni
Three samples of macaroni were submitted to the Borough Analyst for examination, in
consequence of a complaint th.it consumers of soups made with the macaroni had suffered
from illness (diarrhoea), the marcaroni being the suspected cause. The Borough Analyst
reported that the samples gave 110 evidence of containing arsenic or any other chemical
substance likely to give rise to diarrhoea.
Milk.
One hundred and fourteen samples of milk were purchased and analysed, three being
reported as not genuine, the fat having been extracted to the extent of 24.3, 15.0 and G.G per
cent, respectively. Proceedings were instituted against the vendors in all three eases. All
the summonses were dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act, the defendants being
ordered to pay 42s., 63s. and 6;?s. costs respectively.