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45
to the Board's disinfector and thoroughly disinfected. The
whole of this was carried out under the personal supervision
of the Inspector. On the re-assembling of the children
I examined all of them and found no child suffering from
diphtheria, and since that time no case among the children of
that school till the end of the year has occurred. There can be
no question that the measures thus taken were instrumental
in preventing a serious outbreak of diphtheria occurring as it
would have done among a large number of children at the most
susceptible period of life.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1875.
An important decision under this Act was obtained last
year at the Southwark Police Court, which was afterwards
upheld on appeal at the County Sessions, relating to the sale
of preserved peas which had been coloured by copper. It was
proved by your analyst, Mr. Bodmer, that the peas contained
3.16 grains of sulphate of copper to the pound, an amount
which I considered injurious to health. Much expert evidence
was given on both sides, but the result was in favour of the
contention of your Board. It is a matter for congratulation
that this system of giving a fictitious value to articles of an
inferior quality, has in a test case been condemned in two courts
of law after a most painstaking hearing.
A report of your Inspectors, giving a list of the work done
under their supervision during the year, is appended.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES HEREON.