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28
Even a very short experience has shown me that in this
branch of sanitary work particularly, it is necessary to hold the
reins with a very firm hand, and it is therefore my fixed intention
to do so. In the matter of drainage we know definitely now
what is wrong and what is right, so that we have every reason
for rejecting the first and insisting on the second. Sanitation
is like war, and must admit no half-hearted measures of reform.
PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE SALE OF FOOD
AND DRUGS ACTS.
In the accompanying statement the results of proceedings
under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts are set out.
The Report of the Public Analyst is appended, so that it is
only necessary to call attention to a few prominent matters.
Milk has been the subject of prosecution in 22 out of a total
of 28 prosecutions, and Butter in five cases.
In several cases the fines were scarcely such as to act as a
deterrent.
From the Annual Report of the Board of Agriculture and
Fisheries just issued it would appear that milk, being still the
article most easy to adulterate with impunity, is therefore most
frequently the subject of tampering. Taking England and
Wales as a whole, about one sample in every ten was detected
as adulterated ; the actual amount of adulteration would
probably be in excess of this to a considerable extent.
Butter is apparently not so much adulterated, but in my
opinion this proportion would not be maintained if the number
of samples were increased. Butter is probably more adulterated
now than any other single article of diet, and will continue to be
so until some absolutely Draconian method be adopted for its
prevention. The Butter Act of 1907 will go some little way
towards this end, but in my opinion the sale of Margarine as
Butter will probably not be stopped unless Margarine be put
under practically the same regulations of sale as Horseflesh,
i e., allowed to be sold only in certain shops definitely labelled
to the world as Margarine Shops.
Public health officials, analysts, and the public are daily
being duped by clever fakers, but the very poor section of the
public are probably swindled most. It is sincerely hoped that
local authorities throughout the kingdom will devote more
attention to the vendor of butter than has hitherto been given,
and that magistrates will penalize any impositions on the
public to the full extent allowed by law.
The following table is of present interest in this connection :