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GELATINE.—To ascertain the preservatives used in both loose gelatine
and gelatine prepared for domestic use, and in jellies prepared from gelatine (Report
No. 253).
BUTTER AND MARGARINE.—To ascertain the frequency of the use of
boric acid and the amount so used, and the percentage of moisture contained in
each sample (Report No. 253).
BORAX.—As to the contaminations contained in the product as sold by the
grocer and the chemist (Report No. 253).
LEMON CURD AND LEMON CHEESE.—To ascertain the preservatives
used (Report No. 253).
COPPER IN TINNED SPINACH.—Samples were examined which included
products prepared in America, France, Belgium and Holland. The American
samples (two) were free from copper but the Continental products each contained
copper varying from 0.022 per cent. to 0049 per cent. (See Report No. 254).
PRESCRIPTIONS.—Eight which were prepared for panel patients by panel
practitioners and submitted for dispensing to chemists on the roll of the London
Insurance Committee have been examined.
The prescriptions were taken from the Pharmacopoeia of the London Insurance
Committee. Of these, four were returned by the Analyst as being precisely
in accordance with the terms of the prescription. In the remaining four there was
some variation. In one there was a deficiency of potassium bromide to the extent
of 8 per cent., together with a deficiency of ammonium carbonate to the extent of
5 per cent., as in another there was excess of potassium bromide and also ammonium
carbonate to the extent of 9 per cent. In a further sample ammonium carbonate
was deficient to the extent of 34 per cent. In none of these instances was action
taken and in respect of the first two careless dispensing rather than wilful addition
or abstraction was thought to have been the cause. A communication was forwarded
to the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain enquiring what in the
opinion of the Society is the limit of error to be accepted as permissible in prescribing
work. The matter is under consideration by the Society as is also the
question of variation in sizes of bottles.
In the third case, namely, that of deficiency in ammonium carbonate, Dr. Teed
submitted the following note:—
"Ammonium carbonate has no very definite composition.
"The ammonium carbonate of the British Pharmacopoeia is a mixture of acid carbonate
"of ammonium and ammonium carbonate, and should contain 30 6 per cent. of Ammonia.
"Exposed to the air it becomes covered with a white efflorescence which is only super"ficial;
this efflorescence should be scraped off before the salt is used for dispensing.'
"As a matter of fact if sufficiently exposed to the air the whole mass is converted into
"this efflorescence, which contains much less ammonia, as low as some 24 per cent.
"Previous British Pharmacopoeias required lower percentages of ammonia than 30.6."
In the fourth case in which sodium salicylate was deficient to the extent of
19 per cent., and potassium bicarbonate to the extent of 23 per cent., proceedings
were ordered to be taken and a conviction obtained against the defendant who
was fined £5 and one guinea costs by the Alderman presiding (Report No. 253).
In addition, sampling of spirits has been recommenced and the usual routine
examination of all other foodstuffs has been continued. The nature and number of
such samples is set out in the table appended.
THE MILK & DAIRIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1922.
The Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, became operative on 1st
September, 1922. It contains several clauses which strengthen the position of
local authorities responsible for the supervision of the milk supply. It will enable
them to secure the removal of some difficulties which, in the past, have retarded
improvements in the methods of supply and distribution of milk, and so permit of
some progress being made.
The Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, which deals even more comprehensively
with the several aspects of the milk problem, has never been put