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111
A chemical analysis of the contents of samples sent to the Public Analyst
showed them to contain considerable quantities of tin. Upon the owner being
informed of the facts, he consented to sign an order for their destruction as
"trade refuse."
It was subsequently ascertained that this sample case had proved part of a
consignment arriving at the Port of London from South Africa on the
14th December, which had been landed at a riverside wharf within the
jurisdiction of the Stepney Borough Council. Samples were submitted by
the Medical Officer of Health of that district to the local public analyst, who
also found evidence of metallic poisoning by tin, and the sale of the goods
was consequently forthwith prohibited.
Precisely the same occurrence of metallic contamination of tinned food sold
by the Army was experienced by the Sanitary Authorities in South Africa.
Again quoting from the Report previously referred to, Dr. Porter writes:—
"The sale by the Army people of 15,000 tins of Oxo to a Johannes.
"burg dealer also gave rise to difficulty. Practically all the tins were
"' blown' and corroded, and some were leaking; but in about 7 5 per
"cent. there was little, if any, obvious change in the contents, owing,
"presumably, to the amount of salt used in preparation. Five per cent.
"(750) of the tins were picked out, and the contents of 30 of these were
"examined at the Government Laboratory. Tin equal to 0.33 per cent.
"of contents (or about 1.9 grains of oxide of tin to the ounce) was
"found in all, and a variable amount of copper in 16 of these. Another
"100 tins were emptied, the contents thoroughly mixed, and a fair
"sample taken therefrom was found to contain 0.22 per cen. of tin.
''Although there is some question as to the noxiousness of copper and
"tin in small quantities, it was felt that the public should get the benefit
"of any possible doubt, and that under all the circumstances of the case
"it would not be right to pass this consignment, which was accordingly
"condemned, with the knowledge and approval of the military medical
"authorities."
This is a further illustration of the danger arising from the sale of surplus
food supplies that have not been properly surveyed.