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vendors of milk in the Borough were notified that the Public Health
Committee of the Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington would
recommend the Council to take action, under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts, in all cases where preservatives are found in the milk
sold in the Borough.
The Official Report of the Local Government Board for the year
1905 shows that the percentage of Spirits condemned was the lowest
on record. It is, however, stated in the Report that it does not
necessarily follow that spirits are being sold either purer or stronger
than formerly. In my opinion, the explanation lies in the circumstance
that so many publicans now protect themselves against the operation
of the Acts by exposing public notices in their bars. Many of these
notices are not easily visible to the public, and it is very certain that
the occasions must be rare upon which a customer has the necessary
knowledge to put the proper construction upon the facts stated on the
notice. The specious manner in which these notices are worded is
rather calculated to give the ignorant customer the impression that
he is obtaining special value, as, for instance, in the case of the
following notice, which has been widely adopted:—"The spirits sold
in this establishment are of the same superior quality as heretofore,
but, to meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Adulteration
Acts, they are now sold as adulterated spirits, no alcoholic strength
being guaranteed."
The work of detecting offenders under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts is undoubtedly becoming more difficult, as the dishonest
tradesman is becoming more familiar with our available methods. It is
certain that efficient sampling can now nowhere be undertaken except
through the employment of deputies, but the value of this precaution
is now very largely discounted from the circumstance that the dishonest
tradesman looks upon casual customers as possible agents of the
Sanitary Authority, and therefore reserves the sale of his adulterated
articles to his constant customers. During the year we have on two
occasions obtained the services of individuals who have acted as more
or less constant customers at two shops which were under suspicion,