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65
suspected that samples taken officially do not give any idea
of the actual loss by adulteration inflicted on the Public.
An Inspector starts on the war path with a bag containing
a number of sample bottles, sealing wax, labels, and
other paraphernalia, and after the first one or two samples,
the news spreads with the same rapidity as in the case of
motor traps arranged by the police. Subtle signs are
exchanged from shop to shop, and the quality of the milk
improves directly the Inspector with his bag heaves in
sight. Out of 60 samples of milk taken by agents, and in
such a manner that it is not likely any one of the vendors
had a suspicion that the quality of the milk was to be
investigated, no less than 20 were found wanting, either
deficient in fat or watered. Of these 20 thirteen of the more
flagrant cases were selected and the samples taken officially,
but only six could be certified as adulterated. This experience
is not peculiar to St. Marylebone ; in other districts
numbers of unofficial samples have been taken, and when
an attempt has been made to get from the same vendors
official samples of a similar quality, only a few have been
found adulterated.
The remedy lies in the hands of the public. If the public
require their milk pure they should themselves not only
take samples, but take them in a manner rendering possible
a prosecution. The official way of taking a sample is
simple, although troublesome. The buyer must say to the
milkman that he is going to have the sample analysed by
the Public Analyst, and proceed to divide the sample into
three parts, giving one part to the milkman, keeping one
himself, and sending the third to the Analyst.
Hence all that a householder need do is to lay in wait for
the advent of the milkman with three 4-oz. bottles, provided
with corks, sealing wax, and labels; it is also advisable
to have a witness. If the procedure of the Act is strictly
followed and the milk found adulterated, I do not see why
the Local Authority should not relieve the householder of
the cost and trouble of a prosecution and take up the case
but this is only a possible suggestion.