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18
certificate. When a milkman sometimes boasts that he has watered
the milk, and the water is not discovered, we cannot take a higher
than the accepted standard without covering ourselves with ridicule
in Court.
The subject of skimming I have often mentioned, and the proof
of wilful skimming is very difficult. But the small vendors might
be reminded, of the necessity of mixing the top-milk with the
lower strata, before they ladle it out, if they would be fair to their
customers.
Before leaving the subject of milk, I may mention that when
your Inspector, Mr. Errington, on a former occasion, on an afternoon,
took nine samples, eight were adulterated; on the afternoon of
the year past, out of nine samples, only one was adulterated!
The Aerated Drinks (three in number) were not of a high
quality. One soda-water contained no soda, and the maker or
vendor was cautioned. A ginger-beer was full of infusoria, but
not adulterated according to the Act; and a lemonade contained
no trace of lemon, but was only acidulated aerated water. Besides
this, the ginger-beer contained a very distinct trace of lead. As a
public analyst, I may state my astonishment at the full faith
which tho public places in its drinks.
Of Breads and Flours I have analyzed 11 varieties. All have
passed the most rigid tests as regards alum, and any admixture,
in any quantity, of flour other than wheaten.
Several articles require only to be mentioned. A Tea, a
Mustard, and two Vinegars pass without remark. A sample
of Sugared Almonds was, except as regards dirt, of the nature
and quality demanded; and one of Honey only contained 7 per
ccnt. of added sugar, but was otherwise of excellent quality.
The rest of my work is in connection with alcoholic drinks, and
herein lies the occasion for dissatisfaction.