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57
According to the thirty-fourth Annual Report of the Local Government
Board, the total number of samples analysed under the Sale of
Food and Drugs Act during the official year 1904, shows an increase of
6,601 samples over the figures of the previous year. In London, one
sample was analysed for every 213 persons, being at the rate of 4.7 per
1,000 of the population: and in the provinces, one for every 442 of the
population, or2.3 per 1,000. It will be seen from the Table on page 58
that the proportion of samples reported against was 8.5 per cent, of
those examined. In 1903 7.9 per cent. of the total samples analysed
proved to be adulterated. There was an increase in the amount
of adulterated samples of margarine, beer, spirits and drugs, and
a slight increase in the samples of adulterated milk (11.1 percent.).
London is at the head of the list again as regards the extent
of adulteration of milk, the result showing 12.5 per cent. of
samples condemned as against 10.1 per cent, in the 20 next largest
provincial towns and 10.6 per cent. in the remainder of the country.
It is satisfactory to know that the fines imposed show an increase
in individual cases, though still, in many instances, the amounts inflicted
are not calculated to check adulteration as effectually as larger
sums would do.
The rate of butter adulteration in England and Wales, which was
10*3 per cent, in 1901 and 6.5 in 1902, fell to 5.5 in 1903 and 5.7 in
1904. In 1887, the year in which the Margarine Act was passed, the
rate of butter adulteration was 17.5 per cent.
The percentage of adulterated samples of drugs showed an
increase over that recorded in the previous year. Seidlitz powders
continue to be adulterated to the extent of one-fifth of the samples
procured for analysis.
It is obvious that steady consistent work is being done under the
operation of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, and that the public
analysts are carrying out their share of the work as efficiently as the
provisions of the Act enable them to do.