Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]
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acid contents, being brought about by the re-introduction into the
beer by the carbonic acid envolved during the process of brewing,
thus differing from most of the carbonated beers in which the
carbonic acid is introduced artificially, by which I mean that the
carbonic acid is manufactured apart from the beer and then
introduced. The beer thus contains three different articles which
have a definite influence on the solubility of lead. Firstly, the
sugars. Secondly, the acetic and lactic acids, and thirdly, the
gaseous carbon dioxide. It is difficult to assign the exact proportion
of the three, but the general explanation is among certain of
the chemists that the sugars are largely responsible for the solution,
this is equally denied by others.
Before the introduction of these iron tanks, the tanks hitherto
in use, of which there are about G,000 at present in constant use
are manufactured by Doultons for Messrs. Lewi6, of 25, Lime
Street, E.G.:—