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20
men who sell good milk. Other samples of milk, taken by
the same officers—at about the same time— from other
tradesmen in the parish, yielded on analysis 13.19%,
13.54% and 14.81% respectively, of milk-solids. How can
such tradesmen keep their doors open if others in the parish
be allowed to sell as milk a liquid containing only 10.94%
of milk-solids. This defendant, when summoned, attributed
the adulteration to the farmer who supplied him with milk.
On the next day (October 15th), in order to test that allegation,
a sample of the milk, then in course of delivery by this
farmer, was taken and analysed. It was found to be an
excellent milk, containing 13.08% of milk-solids (fat
3.98% non-fatty solids 91%). Now, if we assume that
the milk delivered by this farmer, on September 24th, was
equal to that which we know that he delivered on October
15th, then 10.94/13.08 = 83.6 % of milk and 16.4 % of added
water. If we take as the standard that average of 235
authentic milks which was published by Dr. Bell, then
10.94/12.83 = 85.3% of milk, and 14.7% of added water.
7. In your letter of November 15th (par. 3), you speak
of a deficiency of non-fatty solids or of fat. And again,
referring to my certificate, you say:—"You assume that for
giving the extent of dilution the comparison should be made
with milk containing 12.50% of milk-solids which percentage
includes fats as well as the non-fatty solids. By
such a comparison you make the fat short as well as the nonfatty
solids, and to be logical the milk should have been
shown deficient in fat as well as diluted with water." Yet
in this very milk the non-fatty solids and the fat were both
deficient. It is obvious also, in general, that the addition
of water must always, by mechanical displacement, lower the
proportion of fat in the same degree as it dilutes the nonfatty
solids. I do not see how your comment applies either
in this case or in general.
8. With regard to the particular cases on which you comment
in yours of November 16th:—
(a) It is true that a 1 and b 1 are similar. But the
two cases may have to be regarded from different standpoints,
according as the principal deficiency is found in the
fatty or in the non-fatty solids, and the recognition of the
two cases makes the scheme symmetrical.
(b) It will be observed that the terms "full" and "in
excess" are variables, subject to an up-and-down movement,
according to the levels at which standards of reference
are fixed. Whether particular "fulnesses" or
"excesses" will be "satisfactory" must, therefore, depend