The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-23
WILEY FOUND NO CHEMICALS.
EXPERT DEPARTMENT. CHEMIST
ANALYZES MEAT SAMPLES.

Gould Only Find saItpetre and Com
men Salt which Are Always Used
in Preserving-Tcst of several
Cans Made Under Order of Secre-
tary WiIsOn-Fresh Meats Always
Preferable to Those which Have
Been Preserved.
Washington, Jan. 22-Chemist Wiley Of
the department of agriculture has reported
to Secretary Wilson that an examination
of samples of canned meats secured both
In the open market and from the war de
partment to determine the presence of any
chemical preservauves, failed TO disclose
any traces of borax, boric acid, sulphites
sulphurous acid, salicylic or benzoic acids.
The presence of saltpeter was confirmed
In all the samples of corned beef, and So
called luncheon beef, but no traces of II
was discovered in the roast beef, though
common salt was present to a considera-
BILE extent.
The test was made under an order of
Secretary Wilson and thirteen samples
were inspected eleven purchased in the
open market and two obtained from the
war department. OF the former, eight,
from five different packing houses, were
corned beef; two packed by the Armour
Canning Company of Chicago, and the Ar
mour Packing Company of Kansas City,
were luncheon beef, and the other samples
roast beef. The report says:
Meat Was Well Preserved.
1.-The contents of the cans were in ex-
cellenJ preservation, and the surfaces OF
all the cans were markedly concave,
showing that no decomposition had begun.
This was also indicated by the fact that
when the cans were opened there was an
appreciable influx of air; while in the
presence of even incipient decomposition
the surfaces of the cans are usually slight
~ convex, and, on opening, an outflow OF
air may always be noticed.
In some kinds of preserved meat ten
denotes have been shown to the develop
ment of class of bodies known as pto-
maines, poisonous alkaloidal bodies re-
sulting from the decay of heterogeneous
materials in the flesh. These ptomaines
of course, are not developed in perfectly
sterilized packages, but may develop an
those which are imperfectly sterilzed or
may develop in sterilized packages Which
are opened but not eaten for some time
after exposure TO the air. 1t is therefore,
highly important that they should be in
good condition when opened, and that they
BIZ, consumed after being opened without
any great delay.
SaItpetre Always Used.
at is a matter of common information
that in the preparation of corned beef, salt
and saltpetre are always used, whether
it be In a large packing house or in
private family.
"Only a preliminary examination has
been made for lead and tin in the con-
tents Of the cans. The method employed
was not sufficiently delicate 20 reveal
mere traces. but II these metals were
present in a sufficient quantity for their
exact estimation Il would indicate that
fact. So far as can be determined by
chemical analysis, the samples of meat
examined were entirely appropriate for
use as food"
In many instances the tins inside the
cans were discolored, but a careful mi
croscopic examination showed that the
surface of the tin, in no instance, was
eroded. The chemists division is now
conducting an examination of the tin sur
faces in order to determine the amount of
lead they may contain. The results will
be presented in supplemental report.
The report concludes as follows
Fresh Food Preferable.
preserved foods. especially meats. are
not to be preferred TO the fresh articles,
except in those cases where 1t is not pos
eibIe for the articles in fresh state to
be supplied.
I'm the second place II is highly I'M
portant that some competent supervising
agent be always present TO inspect the
packages when they are opened, in order
40 detect any failure of complete steriliza-
ton in their preparation or any evidences
Of incipient or advanced decay In their
contents. when these precautions are
observed there is no reason to believe that
the injection Of preserved meats as an
article Of food. in proper quantities, and
in properly balanced rations, will in any
way interfere with the health or comfort
Of the person consuming them"
She Knew.-"Did she ask you IL she