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Report of the Medical Officer of Health. 181
interfered so that during the last six months by the instructions of the
Council respectable men and women known to the Inspector have been
employed by him.
This arrangement works satisfactorily, and the Inspector reports
that he can now not only cope with the increasing number of samples,
but can also exercise a general supervision of the various districts
which otherwise could not be accomplished.
Taking the total amount of fines received during the year, excluding
the £20 fine inflicted in case 131 for a third offence, the average
amount of penalty for the remaining 48 cases is under 30s. per case.
When it is considered that this amount and more can be made
by fraudulent methods in one evening it can easily be understood that
the dishonest trader prefers to take the risk. Until the fines
inflicted are of such amount that the financial loss is appreciable
the efforts of any officer to effectually prevent adulteration will be
almost futile.
The fine inflicted depends entirely upon the light in which
individual magistrates view offences under the Sale of Food and
Drugs Act, and I have personally known cases in which defendants
have not appeared on certain days, but sent a medical certificate and
asked for an adjournment in order that they might not appear
before the magistrate then sitting, but before a more lenient
interpreter of the law in respect of such offences as they have
committed.
I am pleased to be able to report that the " warranty defence "
in the case of adulterated Milk samples which has caused so much
trouble to other Boroughs and which is always a standing menace to
the effectual prevention of Milk adulteration has been relied on in only
two cases during the past year.
In conclusion, I am pleased to be able to report that the whole of
the work of the department was carried out by the Inspectors and the
Clerical Staff to my entire satisfaction.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
P. CALDWELL SMITH,
Medical Officer of Health.
L