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38
A brief summary of the work of the whole year may prove of
interest. In all 111 wimples have been analyzed, consisting of Milk
103, Butter 5, and Coffee 3. Of these 35 samples were adulterated,
giving an average of 31 per cent. of adulterated samples. This is
almost three times as much as the general average for all London,
which is only 11 per cent. Considering that 103 of the samples
consisted of Milk, of which 34 samples were adulterated, we see how
the high percentage comes about. No lose than 33 per cent. of the
Milk samples were adulterated, last year the percentage was 22, and
the previous year 13; so that in this district the water-rate paid on
milk-dilution has steadily increased. Besides these undoubtedly
adulterated samples, numerous other samples are found to contain an
excessive quantity of cream added by vendors, who did not feel certain
of the purity of their milk and distrusted the purchaser. Other
samples were of very doubtful purity.
Children and invalids must suffer largely through this depreciation
of their chief article of nourishment.
Of the Five samples of Butter, one sample was found to be composed
entirely of Beef-fat. The proportion of adulterated samples of Butter
is therefore 20 per cent. None of the Three samples of Coffee proved
to be adulterated.
While this year the number of samples of food analyzed is less than
in the former year, the total of fines ordered to bo paid into the
Vestry's account is far larger, amounting, so far, to £116 15s. This
sum will just about cover the whole of the expenses incurred in
carrying out the provisions of the Food and Drugs' Adulteration Act.
Appending a tabulated list of the articles analyzed last quarter,
I remain your obedient Servant,
ALF. W. STOKES, F.C.S., F.I.C.,
Public Analyst.