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milk were of abnormal composition we should take these
facts into consideration when drawing our conclusions from
the results obtained.
In the cases of b 2 and b 3, great care would have to be
exercised in deciding whether the non-fatty solids had been
depressed by getting a sample containing more than the
normal proportion of fat. If this were so the non-fatty
solids would be naturally lowered at the expense of the fat.
Each of such cases would have to be decided on its own
merits, and it is consequently not practicable to give a
general answer which could be made to apply to individual
cases.
Believe me,
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) R. BANNISTER.
De. Jambs Edmunds,
Vestry Hall, Piccadilly, W."
VI.—At the second adjournment, on November 17th, the
learned Magistrate made strong remarks upon the divergence
between the conclusions of the two certificates. Nevertheless,
he saw that both certificates concurred in proving that there was
some adulteration. Thereupon evidence was admitted as to a
previous conviction for adulterating milk with 20 percent. of
water, and a fine of twenty shillings and costs. Upon this, the
learned Magistrate inflicted upon the defendant a fine of ten
shillings, and left the Vestry to pay its own costs.
VII.—In order to arrive, if possible, at an understanding of the
procedure adopted at the Government Laboratory, I wrote again
to Mr. Bannister, as follows:—
[Copy.]
December 6th, 1897.
"Re Milk Reference, No. 53.
Dear Sir,
1. I thank you for your letter of November 16th, and I
now forward copy of my own certificate, and the result of
the prosecution.
2. The great general importance of this matter is my
excuse for asking you for some further data. I think we
ought to seek the good offices of the Government Laboratory
with a view to agree upon some uniform procedure for the
determination of milk solids, and also to agree upon uniform
standards of comparison for adulterated milks. Such