The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-11 00:00:00

ADULTERATION OF FOOD.

Those of our readers who have perused the articles we
have lately devoted to the consideration of the r. p rt of
the Parliamentary committee on adulterations will have
been enabled to form 80:110 idea of the tnearmres required
to check effectually the practice which has for so long a
period prevailed to a most disgraceful extent. We now
propose to state briefly, but clearly, the several steps
necessary for the suppression of adulteration.
The measurers necessary are of two kinds, viz., thor,e
for the discovery of adulteration, and those deruan ed
for its punishment when di-covered.

The principal measures needed for the discovery of
adulteration are as follow :

1. The appointment in the principal towns and dis-
tricts of the United Kingdom of inspectors and analysts.
The duty of each of the inspectors would be to procure
articles of food and medicine, to forward them to the
analyst of his district for his analysis and report, and to
bring cases of adulteration before the proper authorities
for a ijudication. In our import towns a principl and
additional duty of the inspector would be to watch over
articles of food and medicine brought to this country ;I
and in doubtful cases to forward them to the analyst for
his opinion. Lastly, the inspector, like the present Excise
officers, should in certain cases have the power of entry
on suspected premises ' • in general, however, the samples
collected for analysis should be procured in the presence
of a witness, in the ordiciary way, by purchase, and the
power of entry would rarely require,t be enforced. The
Excise obtains its evidence of adulteration chiefly by the
seizure of articles in the warehouse, &c., forcibly entered,
of the adulterator ; and in this respect a very great dif-
ference would exist between the proceedings of the Excise
and that of the authorities now proposed to be called
into operation.

While it would be.necessary that every chief town and
district should be provided with its inspector, it would
sot be necessary to appoint an equal number of•
analysts, as the same analyst could, in many cases, act
for several towns. ln the appointment of analysts spe-
cial regard should be had to their qualifications, and
none should be appointed who were not capable of ap-
plying the microscope to the detection of adulteration.
The appointment of the inspectors and analysts should
be vested in the municipal or other local authorities.
2. That a metropolitan board of inspectors and analysts
be appointed, its appointment to bs in the hands of the
government. To this board should be confided the
charge of dealing with the subject of the adulteration of
the food and medicine of the metropolis and its suburbs.
The board should publish periodical reports of its pro-
ceedings, these reports containing the particulars of the
articles analysed, including the names and addresses of
the parties of whom they were procured, and this whe-
ther they proved to be genuine or adulterated. Further,
the local inspectors and analysts should be required to
make periodical returns of their proceedings to the me-
tropolitan board. By this means a vast amount of use-
ful information in regard to adulteration wouh'4 be ac-
cuinulated, and the several local authorities would be
kept up to the full measure of their duties. Lastly, in
the central board the local inspectors and analysis would
possess,an authority on adulteration of the highest cha-
racter, which they "Mk ht consult at all times in cases of
doubt and difficulty. We consider the institution of this
board absolutely indispensable to the successful working
of any scheme designed for the repression of adulteration.
Without it, although local inspeators and analysis might
he appointed, hut little good would be effected, because
there would b) no sufficient authority over theta to as-
certain whether they discharged their duties properly
aid efficiently.
Wish regard to the creation of a metropolitan beard no
real difficulty exists ; in feet, there is already a board of
the kind, although at present in a very ineffi ient state.
We allude to the analytical board of the Excise. It is
stated in the report of the committee on adulteration that
"in addition to about 4,000 officers, Beet ered over the
country, whose experience enaeles them to detect many
adulteratione, and to discover cases of strong suspicion,
the board (of Excise) employs about 60 or 70 analytical
chemists, whose numbers are recruited by etudeete edu•
cated for this purpose at University College, to the nurn
her of 14 every year."
Well, this Board of Excise is most unpopular. It is so
because of its arbitrary and absolute character, entering
forcibly on suspected premises, ,eizing suspected goods,
planting its excisemen in our manufactories, and con-
trolling, to the detriment of trade in some cases, not
merely the times at which a manufacturer shall work his
factory, but also 'dictating the processed he shall pursue.
Again, this board is most iaefficient, notwithstanding
its enormous numerical strength, its officers numbering
soveral thousands. The accuracy of this statement was
fully proved in one of our previous articles, in which it
was shown that " the Lancet Sanitary Commission" found
adulteration to be rife in nearly every article beariog an
Excise duty, and that hundreds of adulterations a-ore
practised, and of which the analytical board of the Ex-
cise possessed no exact or scientific knowledge.
Lastly, the sphere of operation of this board in regard
to adulteration is of the most limited character. Its juri)-
diction extends only VI some few exciseable articles of
consumption, and it pays no regard whatever to adulte-
rations in general, although many of the articles adul-
terated pay a duty to the state, as in case of drugs. Thus
it leaves untouched the great question of adulteration in
all its wider and higher bearings, in its sanitary, moral,
and even in certain of its pecuniary aspects, in its effects
on the interests of the trader, the consumer, and also to
some extent the revenue.

Reasons, therefore, of the strongest kind exist why the
analytical board of the Excise should be re-organised,
and placed on a more comprehensive basis.
It should be made to take cognisance of the adultera-
tion of all articles of food and medicine. This- done,' it
would lode its arbitrary and Objectionable character. It
would no longer be regarded as an engine for the extor-
tion of money ; hut while it really and effectually pro.
tected the revenue, it would at the earns time protect
the interests of the honest trader, of the onistliner, and
also become a guardian of the public health.
3. The punishments should include the publication of
the names and addresses of those either selling adulter-
ated articles or who are actually guilty of these adultera-
tions, fines, and also imprisonment. Fines have been
tried for the suppression of crime in a variety of ways,
and have failed to produce any considerable effect. Some
further and more effectual punishment is needed, and
this we -find in imprisonment. This would brand adul-
teration as a crime, and affix a well deserved personal
stigma to it. While fines were inflicted for the less seri-
ous cases, the punishment by imprisonment should he
reserved foi• the more serious cases, and for repetitions
of the offence. Adulteration is punishable ny iniprison-
ment in all the continental countries, and even in New
York.—Lancet.

Null qVueivreeradhians ttlieescHrenesiteer:
oTnintehse:
RTOhLeI FbliCe s
nAgR RolsitaG Ef
of
f t househe of the
hA:s,L,u.thiNelrin.tcahye.llo,nthTeuwsi.od.rat:iyh.i,4pagsot,,,,r,
with their seventeenth
lwivifiengp;:esented him
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—We are happy to quote the following
ii-iteresting information from Du Barry's Report on cures
of Indigestion' (Dyspepsia), Flatulency, Constipation, Ner-
vous, Bilious, and Liver Complaints, Cough, Asthma,
Consumption, and Debility, without medicine by Du
Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food : Eight years' dyspep-
sia., nervousness, debility, with cramps, spasms, and nausea,
for which my servant had consulted the advice f;‘f many,
have been effectually removed by Du Barry's Reyalenta
Arabica Food in a very short time. I shall be happy to
answer any inquiries. Rev. JOHN W. FLAVELL, itidiillg-
ton Rectory, Norfolk. From the Dowager Countess of Castle-
stuart.—Cure 52,612. Rosstrevor, County of Down, Ireland,
9th December', 1854.—Tee Dowager Countess of Castlestuart
feels induced, in the interest of suffering humanity, to state
that Du Barry's Oxcellent lievalenta Arabica Food has cured
her, after all medicines had failed, of indigestion, bile, great
nervousness and irritability, of many years' standing. This
food deserves the confidence of all sufferers, and may be con-
sidered a real blessing. Inquiries will be cheerfully
answered. Cure No. 1,609. Three years excessive
nervousness, with pains in my neck and left arm, and
general debility, which rendered my life very miserable,
has been radically removed by Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica
Food. ALEX-MAR STUART, Archdeacon of Ross, S ibberoen.
Supported by testimonials from the celebrated Professors 05
Chemistry Dr. A ndrew Ure ; Dr. Shoriaud ; Dr. Harvey ;
Dr. Campbell ; Dr. Gattiker ; Dr. Wurzer ; Dr. Ingram ;
Lord Stuart de Decies; the Dowager Countess of Castle-
Stuart; Major-Gen. Thomas King, and many other respectable
persons, whose health has been restored by it, after all other-
means of cure had failed. Suitably packed for all climates,
with full instructions. In canisters, 11b., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6d.;
; 225. ; super-refined, Ilb., fis. ; 21bs., lls. ;
fibs., 225.; 101bs., 335. The 10Ibs. and 121bs. carriage free,
on receipt of post-oface order. Barry du Barry and Co., 77,
Regent-street, London ; Fortnum, Mason, and Co., PIIICyOTS
to her Majesty, Piccadilly ; also at 60, Graceehnrch street ;
33d and 451, Strand; 4, Cheapside ; 68, Cornhill ; 49, Bishops-Bishops-
gate-street; 55, Chariag-cross; 64. Upper Baker-street
and 150. Oxford-street. _

[ADVBILTISEMENT.] —SIGHT AND HEARING SPECTACLES,
POWERFUL TELESCOPES, „OPERA, RACE, AND PERSPECTIVE
Grassas.—Messrs. S. and 13. Solomon, opticians. 39, Albe-
marle-street, Piccadilly. Observe—opposite the York Hotel.
By leer Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for valuable and
extraordinary improvements in the most powerful and
brilliant Telescopes; Camp, Racecourse, Opera, and Per-
spective Glasses, to know the distances. These telescopes
possess such extraordinary powers that some
.three and a-half
inches, with an extra eye-piece, cfill show distinctly Jupiter's
moons, Saturn's ring, and the double stars. With the same
telescope can be seen a person's countenance three miles and a
half distant, and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They are of
larger and all sizes, with increasing powers accordingly.--rs,
Royal Exhibition, 1851. Valuable, newly-invented, very map
powerful waistcoat-pocket glass, the size of a walnut, by wrier
a person can be seen and known 1 miles distant; they answ,,r
every purpose on the race-course, an at the opera houses,
country scenery,
and ships are clearly seen at Bto Wrailes.
They are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, to
sportsmen, gentlemen, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera,
race-course, camp, and perspective glasses, with wonderful
power. Newly-constrneted Spectacle Lenses of the great-
est transparent power. The valuable advantage derived
from this invention is, that vision becoming impaired is
preserved and strengthened,. and very aged persons are
enabled to employ their melt at the most minute occu-
pation- can see with these lenses of a much less magnify .
ing power—and they do not require the frequent change
to the dangerous effects of further powerful assistance.
Persons can be suited at the most remote part of the world,
by sending one of the glasses out of their spectacles in a
letter, and stating the distance from the eyes they can read
small newspaper print with it; and those who have
not made use of age.
spectacles by stating their Deaf•
tr,o,dinary powerful, small, an ex.
ness. -- New Discovery. The Organic vibrator,newly-invented instrument for
ionte_wss, entirely difrerent for, 511 t -ier any'
ti e, the ii- I d that t:t211,11. T;),Lo -•)lV

Being

v,..-;bie • it 6;AL-des de:vf.perEens
ce ~ ,
P.ft3SOITV)II,3
,It)„:3,ant ~; Of 61i-li,ng
m the ears is entirely removed ; and it zoords oil the
tssistouce that possibly could bo desirod„-39, Xibenaarlo-
strwt, Piccadilly Observe:--oPposite-the York 'Tete]. '