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152
the suspicions of the traders; so that where matters are not
found to be satisfactory subsequent samples may be obtained under
the formalities of the Act with a view to the exposure and
punishment of the offender. Several informal samples have
been taken during the year, and it is hoped to increase this
number in future years. The informal samples collected did not
lead to the detection of adulteration.
In Metropolitan London, as a whole, during 1912 one sample
was analysed for every 179 persons, being at the rate of 5.6 per
1,000 of the population. In Stoke Newington, one sample is taken
for every 324 persons, being at the rate of 3 per 1,000 of the
population.
The heavy fine of £100, with costs, with the alternative of
3 months' imprisonment, was imposed at Old Street Police Court
during the year against a vendor of Milk containing 8 per cent,
of added water. There were several previous convictions against
the defendant. The persistence with which some persons continue
to pursue their calling and to repeat the offence of adulteration
is clear evidence that the practice is a profitable one, and
that the likelihood of being convicted rarely suffices to deter the
dishonest milkman. The infliction of such fines as the above is a
great service to the community, because they generally have the
effect of driving out of the trade an unworthy and dangerous
individual.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH (MILK AND CREAM) REGULATIONS,
1912.
It will be recalled that these Regulations restrict the use
of preservatives in Milk and Cream ; no preservative may be added
to Milk in any case nor to fresh Cream which contains less than
35 per cent, by weight of fat. The Regulations, however, do
not prohibit the sale of Cream containing a chemical preservative,
provided (a) that the material is sold as "preserved" cream;
(b) that the preservatives employed are either Boric Acid, Borax,
a mixture of these substances, or Hydrogen Peroxide; and (c)
that the vessel in which the preserved Cream is sold is labelled
in a prescribed form with the amount and nature of the particular