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IV.
"THE SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1875."
Report of the Public Analyst appointed for the Parish of St. Mary
Islington, upon the Articles Analysed by him under the above
Act during the Quarter eliding the 31 st December, 1890.
TO THE VESTRY OF ST. MARY, ISLINGTON.
Gentlemen,
During the last quarter your Inspectors submitted to me
for analysis 96 samples of food and drugs, of which 8 were adulterated.
The adulterated samples were: Milk, Butter, Cocoa, Mustard and
Carbolic Acid.
In the case of the Carbolic Acid the Analysis was disputed, and
the sample was referred to the Somerset House Authorities who
confirmed the adulteration. The summons was, however, dismissed
by the Magistrate on the ground that Commercial Carbolic Acid
was not a drug within the meaning of the Food and Drugs Act.
Although differing entirely in opinion with the Magistrate as
to what defines a drug, I would point out that as his decision has
not been appealed against it is binding till such time as it shall be
upset on appeal. I would therefore urge that in future no drugs
be taken under this Act, except those in the British Pharmacopoeia,
although many valuable drugs, e.g., Quinine, are not placed in that
official list.
Your obedient Servant,
FRANK L. TEED, D.Sc. Lond., F.C.S., F.I.C.,
Public Analyst.