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192
putrefaction is to be considered in the light of an adulteration
within the meaning of the Acts relating to that subject? This
question, as it related to the use of Boracic Acid as a Preservative
of Milk, was submitted to the Public Analyst and myself by
the Special Purposes Committee, who requested us to advise
them " Whether the addition of a small quantity of boracic acid
to milk is injurious to health ? " We drew up a report on the
subject as follows:—
" In order to comply with the request of the Committee to
be advised as to ' Whether the addition of a small quantity of
Boracic Acid to milk is injurious to health,' we have made
enquiries as to what is known in regard to the action of this
drug upon the human subject, and regret to find that very little
information is forthcoming. It would appear, however, that
Boracic Acid is usually employed for the preservation of milk
and cream in the form of a proprietary article well known to
the trade, and which may be designated ' The Preservative.'
This article, as it has recently come under our notice, is
composed mainly of free Boracic Acid, with a certain amount of
Borax. According to the directions it is to be added to milk, in
solution, in the proportion of about seven grains to the pint of
milk. About double this quantity, per pint, is directed to be
added to cream. It must be borne in mind that should the
farmer in the country, and the dairyman in London, both use
the preservative, the amounts mentioned would be doubled. In
such a case, a strong healthy infant taking a quart of milk
daily, might consume as much as 28 grains in that time, and it
must further be noted that the specified addition is not unlikely
to be exceeded through the possible carelessness or ignorance of
those making use of the preservative. The medicinal dose of
Boracic Acid for an adult ranges from 5 to 30 grains, and it is
computed that one-twelfth of the quantity, say a maximum of
2½ grains, would be a suitable dose for a child under one year.
Neither Boracic Acid nor Borax, however, appear to have been
much used as internal remedies, and accordingly but little