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38
keeping, we are of opinion that the milk contains not less than
four per cent. of added water." The magistrate took the quantity
as only four per cent., instead of as being not less than four per
cent., and fined the defendant one shilling. I was the more
aggrieved, although we had gained the case, because it was the
milk of some anti-adulteration society.
Only one Condensed Milk has been analysed in the past twelve
months. There is no doubt that the condensed milks are, as a
rule, somewhat skimmed, but they are, nevertheless, a very
important and reliable addition to the poor man's store. They
vary sufficiently to make it well worth the trouble of studying the
analyses; but the different brands have a uniformity of composition,
indicating also great uniformity in the composition of the
various milks from which they are respectively prepared.
Of 17 Butters, only one butter was a case for prosecution.
It consisted almost entirely of oleo-margarine. If it had been sold
under its proper name, and at a lower price, there ought to be no
objection. Oleo-margarine is perfectly wholesome, and, for cooking
purposes, almost equal to butter; but it is not butter.
Two Breads were good, and free from any admixture; both of
them were somewhat deficient in salt.
Six Coffees were genuine; so also was a sample of Moist
Sugar and a sample of Mustard.
A Black Pepper contained more sand than was necessary; the
sand was very clean and pure, and was, for the most part, derived
from the soil in which the pepper was grown.
Of Drugs, three kinds have been analysed. Flowers of
Sulphur and Tartaric Acid were of first-rate quality. The
sample labelled Citric Acid turned out to be acetic acid. I took
it for granted that no deception was intended, as the acetic acid
was of proper strength and quality according to the British
Pharmacopoeia, and as citric acid docs not even keep in solution in
water.
Four Beers and eight Porters do not offer much opportunity for
remark. With respect to salt, they were all well within the
standard of the Excise, containing between 23 and 35 grains per
gallon. it proves that the sugar used is of good quality, as it is