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"The examination has shown that the oil extracted from these seeds of Aleurites
"Fordii is similar in composition to the T'ung oil of commerce. It is, however,
"lighter in colour, and produces a lighter coloured varnish on drying, so that it is
"probably a purer product. It is noteworthy also that it has a higher titer test
"than commercial T'ung Oil."
It was fortunate that no fatal case occurred amongst the children who had
eaten these nuts. But for the prompt action of the Police in getting into
communication with the City Authorities, and thus enabling me to secure
the remainder of the consignment, there is every probability, as the following
day was a Bank Holiday, similar cases of poisoning would have occurred on
a larger scale.
The Sanitary Committee, recognising the intelligence and valuable assistance
given by the Police, directed that they be thanked through the Commissioner
for the services rendered to the public health on this occasion.
In view of the fact that the vendor of these nuts had offered them for sale
in entire ignorance of their dangerous character, no legal proceedings were
taken against him, but the Committee marked their sense of the impropriety
of his having sold them solely on the strength of the word of a stranger that
they were of an edible variety, by cautioning him to exercise greater care in
this direction in the future.
The Southwark Authorities subsequently took action against him for
selling nuts, which were unwholesome and unfit for food, to the costermonger,
and against the latter for exposing them for sale, the dealer being fined
£5 and £2 2s. costs. The summons against the costermonger was
withdrawn.