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Acetic Acid.—One sample was analysed, and found to
be of the strength and parity of the Acidum Aceticum of the
British Pharmacopoeia.
Brandy.—Five samples were analysed, and of these, four
were genuine and above the legal strength, being 18°, 19°, 22°
and 24° under proof respectively. One sample was just
below the legal limit—a dilution too trifling to warrant a
prosecution.
Bread.—Four samples were analysed and found genuine.
Butter. -Twenty-five samples in all were examined. Of
these, twenty-three were genuine, one was entirely Margarine
and one contained a rather large proportion of water—18 per
cent. A good butter ought not to contain more than 16 per
cent., but up to 20 per cent. has been passed by the Somerset
House authorities, so this must be considered as of inferior
quality.
Cayenne Pepper.—One sample was analysed and found
genuine.
Cocoa.—One sample was analysed and found to be a
genuine flaked cocoa, unmixed with starch or sugar.
Coffee.—Nine samples were genuine, and one contained
20 per cent. of Chicory.
Flowers of Sulphur and Precipitated Sulphur.—One
sample of each was examined, and found to agree with the
Sulphur Sublimatum and Sulphur Precipitatum of the British
Pharmacopoeia.
Gin.—Two samples were analysed and found genuine.
The strengths were respectively 17½° and 33½0 under proof.
Golden Syrup.—Two samples were analysed. One was
genuine, consisting of cane sugar and invert sugar only; the
other contained 40 per cent. of starch—glucose syrup. The
latter is a much cheaper article than true Golden Syrup, but it
is almost entirely devoid of sweetening power. There have
been quite a large number of convictions recently all over the
country for the sale of Golden Syrup adulterated with starch
glucose.