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62
magistrate. There was, however, an element of doubt as to whether they
were actually intended for the food of man. The case was reported to the
Health Committee who did not think it advisable to order a prosecution.
With regard to the sheep's tongues—these were brought under my notice
by a firm of traders in the Borough on December 3rd, with a view of ascertaining
my opinion as to whether the tongues were fit for food. It appears
they were from South America per S.S. “ Orcoma.” There were 30 barrels,
and the specification of their contents shewed that there were 25,500 tongues.
On examination of the contents of two of the barrels they appeared satisfactory,
being firm and free from any putrefactive odour, but a tallowy smell
was noticed. Considering the circumstances, however, it was thought advisable
to subject some of the tongues and the fluid in which they were pickled
to a careful test. Six tongues were accordingly selected from the two barrels
which were opened, and also some of the fluid. The latter was sent to the
public analyst for a report as to its composition. The tongues were boiled
until cooked. Upon splitting them open a very marked putrifactive odour
was at once detected. It was then determined to subject samples of the
tongues from each of the thirty barrels to a similar test. The result was the
same, in every instance the cooked tongue on being split open had an offensive
putrifactive odour. This test was carried out in the presence of a representative
of the Firm. The tongues were taken possession of by the officers
of the Borough Council and destroyed. With two exceptions there was nothing
noticeable about the contents of the barrels before cooking to indicate that
they were tainted. In the case of the exceptions the tongues had the
appearance of putrifactive changes which was noticeable on opening the
barrels. Analysis showed that the fluid in which the tongues were preserved
contained boric acid. Doubtless this accounted to some extent for the absence
of any appreciable tainted odour before cooking.
Sheep's tongues are imported into the United Kingdom from several
foreign countries and British possessions. They are usually sent in barrels
containing brine or “sweet pickle,” a fluid impregnated with common salt and
sugar and sometimes with saltpetre In some instances the liquor employed
is a strong solution of boric acid, and tongues exposed to this preservative
solution frequently are found to contain considerable quantities of boric acid
or its compounds, which have gained access to the substance of the tongues.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACTS.
The reports of the Public Analysts show that during the year 580 samples
were submitted for analysis under the above Acts. This number was approximately
at the rate of 5 samples per 1,000 inhabitants for the year.