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"Articles of Food or Drink." This Act was the
result of a knowledge, on the part of the Legislature,
of the fact, that throughout the country the practice
of adulterating food extensively prevailed. These
adulterations being of a kind that could not be
detected by the public who suffered from them, it
was thought right to give local bodies throughout
the country the power of appointing competent
individuals to analyse food and to institute proceedings
against those who were guilty of this practice.
The first clause of this Act provides, that "Every
" person who shall sell any article of food or drink
" with which, to the knowledge of such person, any
" ingredient or material injurious to the health of
" persons eating or drinking such article, has been
'' mixed; and every person who shall sell as pure
" or unadulterated every or any article of food or
" drink which is adulterated or not pure, shall, for
" every such offence, pay a penalty not exceeding
" five pounds." The second clause provides," That
" the local authorities shall from time to time
" appoint one or more persons, possessing competent
" medical, chemical, and microscopical knowledge,
4 4 as analysts of all articles of food and drink, such
" appointments to be at all times subject to the
" approval of one of Her Majesty's principal Secre"
taries of State." The Act also provides," That
" any purchaser of any article of food or drink in
" any district, county, city, or borough, where there
" is any analyst appointed under this Act, shall be