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122
Rag Flock.—A sample of rag flock taken under the Public Health
Act, which now embodies the Rag Flock Act and the Regulations made
thereunder, was reported genuine. The proportion of chlorine found in
this flock was only 10 parts per 100,000, whereas the standard of cleanliness
laid down allows up to 30 parts of 100,000.
Pharmacy and Poisons Act Samples.—A sample sold as creosote oil
was found to be a coal-tar creosote oil, and a tar-oil horticultural winter
wash had the characteristics of a carbolic disinfecting fluid containing
7.8 per cent. of phenols; a similar preparation sold as a non-arsenical
weed killer contained 15 per cent. of phenols.
A fluid detergent contained one part of ammonia and 12.6 parts of
soap, with water and perfume to make 100 parts.
Two samples of hair dye were examined. One consisted of a waxy
and gummy base with 30.5 per cent. of red iron oxide. In this, tests
for toxic and irritant dyestuffs were negative. The other was sold in
two separate parts, a white compressed tablet and a dark brown viscous
liquid; the tablet consisted of a compound of urea with hydrogen
peroxide and the brown liquid contained paraphenylenediamine, which
is one of the listed poisons.
A sample of yeast tablets was specially examined for the drug
amidopyrine which is reported to have been found in similar preparations,
but none was discovered.
Regulation of Street Trading.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, provides
for the regulation of street trading by the issue of licences which must
be renewed annually. Special observation is kept by the food inspectors
on all stalls where food is exposed for sale and also the premises where
it is stored.
The number of stallholders licensed by the Council is about 300,
and some 200 of these handle foodstuffs. The number is continually
changing. As a result of constant supervision only minor infringements
were observed. These were promptly rectified when pointed out by
the inspectors.
Meat Regulations, 1924.
There are no slaughterhouses in the City and the duties imposed are
confined to the supervision of meat shops, stalls and stores. A register
is kept of all meat vendors and the number registered at the end of 1936
was 153. The inspectors paid 184 visits to these premises, including
stalls.