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31
TO CHRISTMAS, 1886.
Analytical Laboratory,
Vestry Hall, Harrow Road, W.,
January 4th, 1887.
To the Vestry of the Parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green.
Chairman and Gentlemen,—During the quarter ending December
25th, 1886, there have been submitted to me for analysis by your
Inspectors 27 samples of Food.
These were entirely samples of Milk, of which no less than 13
were found to be adulterated by the addition of from 6 to 30 per cent.
of water or by the abstraction of part of the cream. Where this
adulteration was slight no proceedings were taken. But in 10 cases
the vendors were summoned, and fines varying from £1 to £10 were
imposed; all the cases being, by the care of your Inspectors, brought
to a successful issue.
The fines amounted to £36, which was ordered to be paid into the
Vestry's account.
During the whole year there have been analyzed 93 samples of
Food and Drugs. These comprised, Milk, 27 samples, Butter, 23,
Drugs, 24, and Mineral Waters, 19. Of these, 13 Milks and 9
Butters were adulterated. So that taking these as test cases, we find
that 48 per cent. of the Milk and 39 per cent. of the Butter sold in
the Parish is always adulterated; while the Mineral Waters and
Drugs show an entire absence of adulteration. This wholesale
adulteration of two articles so universally used is greatly to be
deplored, and should, if possible, be remedied. It is a matter
affecting every inhabitant in the Parish. Honest traders suffer from
an unfair competition, and the general public have to pay in health
and pocket in order that the vendors of these two articles may realize
a dishonest profit.
The Vestry would do well to take a larger number of samples of
such articles and at more frequent intervals. The fines recovered
would more than compensate for any increased expense, as is shown
by the fact that for the 19 cases of prosecutions undertaken during
the year the sum of £52 10s., besides costs, was recovered by the
Vestry. That a public interest is taken in the work of the Sanitary
Committee is evidenced by the numerous comments of the press on
the temperance beverages of the Parish. A leading article, amongst
others, was given by The Daily Telegraph, of September 16th, to this
work of the Sanitary Committee.
Appending a tabulated list of all the articles analyzed this
quarter,
I remain
Your obedient servant,
ALF. W. STOKES,
Public Analyst.