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105
"its own weight of water," and the public are cautioned to beware of
imitations. Torrefied Wheat Flour, of which this sample consists,
would not appear to render imitation difficult.
Sample 513,— This is described as a milk preservative and is
"guaranteed free from salicylic acid and formalin compounds and
"injurious metallic impurities. Owes its powers of checking decom"position
solely to the boron compounds." In addition to borax
and boric acid, this sample contained nearly 8 per cent. of sodium
benzoate, and it is difficult to see why this latter should be added if, as
the makers avow, the preservative powers of the preparation are entirely
due to boron compounds. Further, it seems disingenuous to guarantee
the absence of salicylic acid, formalin, and metallic impurities, and
cmit reference to sodium benzoate.
Sample 514.— "An entirely original preparation, and quite harmless
"even to the youngest infant. This preservative is non-boron in
"character, and guaranteed free from boracic acid."
This preparation is sold as a milk preservative, and as in the case of
Sample 513, exception must be taken to the maker's description. As a
substitute for boron compounds, the makers use 78.22 sodium benzoate and
12.21 sodium carbonate, and a preparation (the avowed use for which is the
preservation of an infant's diet) containing so large percentages of these
drugs cannot, in my opinion, be regarded as "an entirely original preparation
"and quite harmless to the youngest infant."
The following note on the use of this drug as a milk preservative is taken
from Goodwin's* recent translation of Barthel's well-known book on the
examination of dairy products, and explains the object of the maker in
including it in this sample.
"Carbonate of soda is not used for its antiseptic properties, for it
"possesses none, but because of its power of neutralising the lactic
"acid which forms, and which would naturally curdle the milk. The
"development of the bacteria is in no way hindered by the use of this
"'preservative,' which must be regarded as harmful, seeing that it
"permits of a milk being in an advanced stage of decomposition without
"the appearance indicating the fact."
Sample 515.— "A reliable and effective boron preparation containing
"no salicylic acid."
A meat and milk preservative which, it is claimed by the seller, has certain
advantages over the preservatives composed of saltpetre, borax, boracic
acid, &c. One of these alleged advantages is that it meets with the
recommendation of the Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of
* Published by Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1910.