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generally, save in the eleventh week of the year, was below
the average. The general result of all the above observations
is, that the first quarter of 1907 has been an average
one of sickness and death.
The Sale of Food and Drugs Acts (Table II.)
The large number of 254 samples has been examined
and analysed during the quarter. Of these, 23 samples of
milk, 2 samples of butter, 1 sample of coffee, and a sample
of tinned rabbit were returned as adulterated. Most of the
vendors were prosecuted and convicted.
The tin of curried rabbit was evidently from an old
stock; the inside of the tin was much discoloured, the contents
dirty. Boric acid was present in the proportion of
17.4 grains per lb. Much iron, but no tin, could be detected.
The vendor destroyed the remainder of the stock, which
was very small.
Out of the 35 butters, 6 samples contained .37 per
cent, of boric acid.
The samples of sardines, salmon and pineapple were all
good and contained no preservatives.
Two of the samples of sugar were coloured by a minute
quantity of aniline dye. It is wholly unnecessary to dye
sugar. A prosecution under the Sale of Food and Drugs
Acts was some years ago undertaken by the Vestry for
selling similar sugar. The prosecution failed, showing the
necessity of prohibiting the colouring of sugar by statute.
Thomas Williams, of 94, Devonshire Street, was summoned
for selling milk deficient in milk fat to the extent of
134 per cent., and fined 10s. and 12s. 6d. costs.
Philip Lane, of 25, William Street, Lisson Grove, was
fined £2 and 12s. 6d. costs for selling milk deficient in milk
fat to the extent of 33 per cent., and containing added water
to the extent of 23.9 per cent.
George Lord, of 61, Lisson Street, was fined £2 and
12s. 6d. costs for selling milk deficient in milk fat 24.7 per
cent.
James Hall, of 69, Marylebone Lane, was fined £5 and
12s. 6d. costs for selling milk deficient in milk fat to the
extent of 6.7 per cent, and containing added water to the
extent of 29.9 per cent. The same defendant was fined
£5 and 12s. 6d. costs for selling a coffee mixture as coffee
which contained 35 per cent, of chicory.