View report page

206
The latter having been in the pipes all night, was
just sufficiently poisoned by a minute trace of lead,
as, in time, by its cumulative effects, to produce
paralysis. As I can vouch for the facts, the moral
is obvious. Among other things, it shows that the
fittings of a public house are not unimportant, and
that the mention of traces of lead in an analysis
should not be disregarded.
Of Sherries I have examined two samples.
They are quite free from metallic contaminations,
which is not always the case, as, from the cleaning of
bottles with shot, they are sometimes injuriously
affected by lead. Both were plastered, as is common
with sherries. With regard to proof-spirit, No. 104
contained nearly 32 per cent., and No. 124 above 37
per cent. As far as can be judged by the supply,
the alcohol, in both cases, was of good quality.
I have also analyzed two Port Wines, Nos. 103
and 105. They were very much alike in quality,
both being very new, very sweet, and sufficiently
alcoholic. No. 103 contained 5½ per cent, of grape
sugar, and No. 125 yet more, or 6¾ per cent. Such
wines are liable to be acescent. The proof spirit
amounted respectively to 35½ and 34 per cent. I he
colouring matter was perfectly genuine.