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The condition of the supplies in respect of extraneous matter was more satisfactory,
for of the 140 contract samples examined, only 4 (under 3 per cent.) were
found to contain an excessive amount.
Since 1st October, 1934, the milk supplied to children at schools has been
obtained through the Milk Marketing Board's scheme and not through the Council's
contracts, but head teachers were advised to obtain pasteurised milk only under
this scheme. The Council's medical officer of health approves the source of supply
and quality after consultation with the medical officers of health of the Borough
Councils concerned, who take the necessary samples for examination.
The arrangement made for the co-operation of the medical officers of health in
regard to the examinations of milk supplied to Council's institutions in the county
and in certain areas outside the county has been continued during the year with very
satisfactory results.
Under this scheme reports have been received on the chemical examination of
463 samples, of which 12 were deficient in fat.
In addition to the above, results have been received of the bacteriological
examination of 161 samples of pasteurised milk, of which 8 failed to comply with
the standard laid down in the Milk (Special Designation) Order, 1923.
In all the cases of unsatisfactory supplies by contractors the attention of the
chief officer of supplies was called to the matter.
Drugs.
Of the 972 samples of drugs and medical supplies examined during the year,
70 (or 7.2 per cent.) were found to be either definitely unsatisfactory for use or
below standard strength or quality.
Satisfactory 902
Unsatisfactory or below standard—
Deficient in active constituent 24
Tincture, etc., deficient in alcohol 3
Specific impurities found 16
Dirty or badly made 6
General deficiency 16
Misdescribed 5
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Total 972
The percentage of samples reported upon adversely during the previous year
was 9.3, so that the 1935 figures indicate some improvement in quality. Among the
more notable rejections were a sample of tabs plumbi cum opio which was only
about half the correct strength and weight, and two samples reputed to be salol
which were actually salicin. Three samples of tragacanth were rejected as being
of an inferior grade, not complying with the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia.
A consignment of reputed 1 oz. tins of ung. acid. boric. was rejected on account
of the weight per tin being found to be seriously deficient after the contents of a
number drawn at random from the bulk had been weighed. Similarly, two consignments
of reputed 1 oz. bottles of liquor iodi mitis were also reported upon adversely.
The number of rejections and such instances as these emphasise the need for regular
examination in order that supplies of drugs shall be kept strictly up to the required
standard.
Fertilisers
and feeding
stuffs.
A
In connection with the provisions of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act,
1926, 216 samples have been examined during the year under the supervision of
the chemist, who is the official agricultural analyst for those parts of the county