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ADULTERATION OF FOOD AND DRUGS IN BOMBAY.
1853 the blue flame thus nay to serve remind us of anaesthetics and the inestimable role which they exercise in the relief of suffering and in the accomplishment of surgical aid. We may therefore be led to think appropriately at this season of the great charitable work of our hospitals when watching the beautiful blue flames of the Yule-tide fire.
ADULTERATION OF FOOD AND IN BOMBAY.
DRUGS
on the Adulteration of Food and Drugs in Dosabhai Rastamji Bardi, senior tutor in Mr. Bombay by chemistry and medical jurisprudence at the Grant Medical College, appeared recently in the Transactions of the Bombay Medioal and Physical Society (vol. ix., No. 1). From this paper it appears that the municipality of Bombay, which rejoices in the proud motto, Priozus in Indis, is unfortunately behind many civilised cities in the provision of means to detect and to prevent the adulteration of food and drugs. It has only one officer designated "analyst," whose principal duty seems to be to examine samples of municipal stores, but the work is so light that he is allowed to undertake private work in addition to his municipal duties. No facilities exist in Bombay for procuring samples of food and drugs for analysis and no recognised and trustworthy standards have been set up. In fact, present conditions would appear to be somewhat similar to those which existed in this country prior to 1860, when Parliament passed the first Act against the adulteration of food and drugs, being roused to activity by the reports of the Analytical Commission appointed by THE LANCET. That the adulteration of food and drugs in Bombay is very prevalent is shown by the results of the analysis of certain taxable foods and drugs which were examined by the Government chemical analyst, Bombay, for revenue purposes. Of 219 samples of ordinary foods and drinks examined from 1890 to 1900 no less than 105 were adulterated or unfit for consumption, while of 78 samples of drugs examined during 1892-95 no less than 65 were adulterated or unfit for consumption. Mr. Bardi describes in an able manner the various forms of adulteration which are practised on foods and drugs intended for consumption in Bombay. Of these reference need only be made to those presenting unusual features. Milk is chiefly adulterated with water and is one of the most fruitful sources of disease in Bombay owing to the impurity of the water. As a result the infantile mortality reaches the high figure of 786’ 5 per 1000 births, though this abnormal death-rate is partially attributed to the large use of adulterated condensed milks for the feeding of infants. In addition to the various products of the dairy known in this country the natives prepare large quantities of ghee and dahi. Ghee, also known as clarified butter, is prepared by boiling butter until it becomes granular and dahi, which is sour boiled milk in a coagulated form, is prepared by adding dahi or butter to boiled milk. Both these foods are extensively used, especially the former, and are adulterated to a great extent, the former with various fats and starches and the latter with impure water. The Hindus, who as a class consume a large quantity of ghee, suffer from digestive troubles which they, in common with their physicians, ascribe to its adulteration. In the case of bread a vetch, lathyrus sativus, Kesari Dal, or l. cicera, is employed as an adulterant of barley and wheat. Mr. Bardi gives a list of poisonous chemical substances which are used for colouring sweets and confectionery. Thus, compounds of barium, arsenic, antimony, and lead are used for producing a yellow colour; compounds of arsenic with copper to give a green colour ; compounds of barium and zinc tc confer whiteness; and Prussian blue for producing a blue colour. In the case
A PAPER
of tea exhausted leaves are sometimes treated with catechu. Turning to drugs, Mr. Bardi enumerates those which have been found to be adulterated. Of these, santonin calls for special mention owing to the large proportion of boric acid with which many samples of it were adulterated. This is an ingenious fraud, advantage being taken of the similar flaky appearance of boric acid and santonin. Mr. Bardi then proceeds to suggest suitable standards of purity and means of detecting adulteration. In the case of infants’ food he proposes that it must be free from woody fibre, mineral matter insoluble in acids, and preservatives. It must not consist chiefly of starch and should be accompanied by directions as to the proper quantity for a child during 24 hours. Foods with a low percentage of fat should be made up with milk and milk foods should not be deprived of the milk fat. In reporting upon tinned foods Mr. Bardi suggests the rejection as unfit of all tins that are perforated by nails or show angular indentations, together with those that are bulged out with gas and which are rusty or not hermetically sealed. When a tin produces a hollow sound on being gently struck with a small wooden mallet it should be condemned. Finally, Mr. Bardi considers the various means of preventing adulteration and suggests measures based on the English Sale of Food and Drugs Act. A clause is inserted for the examination of imported foods and drugs at the port of entry by properly qualified Government examiners, so as to prevent the importation of all adulterated articles. In the case of perishable drugs Mr. Bardi urges the necessity for adopting special precautions similar to those suggested by the Medico-Legal Society of New York, whereby such should be marked with the date of manufacture and a time limit fixed, after which the drug would be unfit for use. As regards repressive measures, Mr. Bardi approves of the Parisian method of fining a dishonest shopkeeper and then condemning him to a public confession of his guilt by stating the particulars on a large placard conspicuously exhibited in his shop during the pleasure of the court.
drugs
-
ARTHRITIS
IN
ACUTE
DYSENTERY.
IN the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps for December Major W. W. O. Beveridge comments upon a complication of acute dysentery which has received little notice-arthritis. In 1902-03 he had under observation 147 cases of acute bacillary dysentery in the military hospital at Pretoria. In 3 per cent. of these on the decline of the more urgent symptoms, when the temperature had fallen to normal or nearly so, a sudden rise occurred and was followed by rapid effusion into one or several of the large joints-especially the knee, ankle, and elbow. In several cases pain preceded the effusion by from 12 to 24 hours. The affected joints were very painful both on movement and on pressure, but were not acutely inflamed, showing no redness In some cases only the knees were affected, the or heat. swelling of one preceding the other by 24 hours. After from eight to 12 days the effusion subsided leaving slight stiffness. There was never any tendency to recurrence. The temperature was of the septicasmic type with a sudden initial rise accompanied by a slight rigor and evening exacerbations. In none of the cases was there evidence of gonorrhoea and salicylates had no influence on the arthritis. Quinine in five-grain doses with the usual local measures appeared to be the best treatment. The following case is an example. A soldier, aged 20 years, who had been on service in South Africa for ten months was admitted to hospital in Pretoria on Feb. 2nd, 1903. On the ground where he was encamped dysentery had been prevalent during the previous summer. The evening temperature was 1010F. He passed six motions in the 24 hours, consisting of only blood and mucus. On
ADULTERATION OF FOOD AND IN BOMBAY.
DRUGS
on the Adulteration of Food and Drugs in Dosabhai Rastamji Bardi, senior tutor in Mr. Bombay by chemistry and medical jurisprudence at the Grant Medical College, appeared recently in the Transactions of the Bombay Medioal and Physical Society (vol. ix., No. 1). From this paper it appears that the municipality of Bombay, which rejoices in the proud motto, Priozus in Indis, is unfortunately behind many civilised cities in the provision of means to detect and to prevent the adulteration of food and drugs. It has only one officer designated "analyst," whose principal duty seems to be to examine samples of municipal stores, but the work is so light that he is allowed to undertake private work in addition to his municipal duties. No facilities exist in Bombay for procuring samples of food and drugs for analysis and no recognised and trustworthy standards have been set up. In fact, present conditions would appear to be somewhat similar to those which existed in this country prior to 1860, when Parliament passed the first Act against the adulteration of food and drugs, being roused to activity by the reports of the Analytical Commission appointed by THE LANCET. That the adulteration of food and drugs in Bombay is very prevalent is shown by the results of the analysis of certain taxable foods and drugs which were examined by the Government chemical analyst, Bombay, for revenue purposes. Of 219 samples of ordinary foods and drinks examined from 1890 to 1900 no less than 105 were adulterated or unfit for consumption, while of 78 samples of drugs examined during 1892-95 no less than 65 were adulterated or unfit for consumption. Mr. Bardi describes in an able manner the various forms of adulteration which are practised on foods and drugs intended for consumption in Bombay. Of these reference need only be made to those presenting unusual features. Milk is chiefly adulterated with water and is one of the most fruitful sources of disease in Bombay owing to the impurity of the water. As a result the infantile mortality reaches the high figure of 786’ 5 per 1000 births, though this abnormal death-rate is partially attributed to the large use of adulterated condensed milks for the feeding of infants. In addition to the various products of the dairy known in this country the natives prepare large quantities of ghee and dahi. Ghee, also known as clarified butter, is prepared by boiling butter until it becomes granular and dahi, which is sour boiled milk in a coagulated form, is prepared by adding dahi or butter to boiled milk. Both these foods are extensively used, especially the former, and are adulterated to a great extent, the former with various fats and starches and the latter with impure water. The Hindus, who as a class consume a large quantity of ghee, suffer from digestive troubles which they, in common with their physicians, ascribe to its adulteration. In the case of bread a vetch, lathyrus sativus, Kesari Dal, or l. cicera, is employed as an adulterant of barley and wheat. Mr. Bardi gives a list of poisonous chemical substances which are used for colouring sweets and confectionery. Thus, compounds of barium, arsenic, antimony, and lead are used for producing a yellow colour; compounds of arsenic with copper to give a green colour ; compounds of barium and zinc tc confer whiteness; and Prussian blue for producing a blue colour. In the case
A PAPER
of tea exhausted leaves are sometimes treated with catechu. Turning to drugs, Mr. Bardi enumerates those which have been found to be adulterated. Of these, santonin calls for special mention owing to the large proportion of boric acid with which many samples of it were adulterated. This is an ingenious fraud, advantage being taken of the similar flaky appearance of boric acid and santonin. Mr. Bardi then proceeds to suggest suitable standards of purity and means of detecting adulteration. In the case of infants’ food he proposes that it must be free from woody fibre, mineral matter insoluble in acids, and preservatives. It must not consist chiefly of starch and should be accompanied by directions as to the proper quantity for a child during 24 hours. Foods with a low percentage of fat should be made up with milk and milk foods should not be deprived of the milk fat. In reporting upon tinned foods Mr. Bardi suggests the rejection as unfit of all tins that are perforated by nails or show angular indentations, together with those that are bulged out with gas and which are rusty or not hermetically sealed. When a tin produces a hollow sound on being gently struck with a small wooden mallet it should be condemned. Finally, Mr. Bardi considers the various means of preventing adulteration and suggests measures based on the English Sale of Food and Drugs Act. A clause is inserted for the examination of imported foods and drugs at the port of entry by properly qualified Government examiners, so as to prevent the importation of all adulterated articles. In the case of perishable drugs Mr. Bardi urges the necessity for adopting special precautions similar to those suggested by the Medico-Legal Society of New York, whereby such should be marked with the date of manufacture and a time limit fixed, after which the drug would be unfit for use. As regards repressive measures, Mr. Bardi approves of the Parisian method of fining a dishonest shopkeeper and then condemning him to a public confession of his guilt by stating the particulars on a large placard conspicuously exhibited in his shop during the pleasure of the court.
drugs
-
ARTHRITIS
IN
ACUTE
DYSENTERY.
IN the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps for December Major W. W. O. Beveridge comments upon a complication of acute dysentery which has received little notice-arthritis. In 1902-03 he had under observation 147 cases of acute bacillary dysentery in the military hospital at Pretoria. In 3 per cent. of these on the decline of the more urgent symptoms, when the temperature had fallen to normal or nearly so, a sudden rise occurred and was followed by rapid effusion into one or several of the large joints-especially the knee, ankle, and elbow. In several cases pain preceded the effusion by from 12 to 24 hours. The affected joints were very painful both on movement and on pressure, but were not acutely inflamed, showing no redness In some cases only the knees were affected, the or heat. swelling of one preceding the other by 24 hours. After from eight to 12 days the effusion subsided leaving slight stiffness. There was never any tendency to recurrence. The temperature was of the septicasmic type with a sudden initial rise accompanied by a slight rigor and evening exacerbations. In none of the cases was there evidence of gonorrhoea and salicylates had no influence on the arthritis. Quinine in five-grain doses with the usual local measures appeared to be the best treatment. The following case is an example. A soldier, aged 20 years, who had been on service in South Africa for ten months was admitted to hospital in Pretoria on Feb. 2nd, 1903. On the ground where he was encamped dysentery had been prevalent during the previous summer. The evening temperature was 1010F. He passed six motions in the 24 hours, consisting of only blood and mucus. On