Frauds in the 

 manufacture. 



17S on the Composition and use of chocolate* 



principles is effected. In a word, the chocolate thus obtained 

 is more completely dilTolved, more mifcible in water and con- 

 fequently more eafy of digeftion : on the other hand, although 

 cocoa does not become rancid fo eafily as the fruits which are 

 analogous to it, it may be apprehended that from being expofed 

 too fuddenly to the action of the heat neceffary to bruife the nut, 

 the oil and the batter which it contains being fet free, it may 

 * lofe part of its mildnefs and become acrid and heating* 



Of the Frauds committed in the Fabrication of Chocolate. 

 It h, no doubt, unfortunate, that in the commerce of food, 

 in which the love of humanity, that fen lira en t fo pure and fo 

 natural, might feem to banith all want of confidence, and 

 every fordid intereft, we neverthelefs difcover that frauds are 

 multiplied in proportion as the objects pafs into different hands 

 to acquire their alimentary or medicinal properties. It is not 

 my intention to attach perfonal blame to any individual, but 

 the improper conduct of fome manufacturers render it necef- 

 fary to give precautions, which are, no doubt, ufelefs with re- 

 gard to others, who fulfil the duties of their ufeful profeffion 

 with a degree of fidelity worthy of the belt of times. 



Baume, in his Elements of Pharmacy, and Demachy, in his 

 Art of the Liqueur-maker, have difcovered part of the abufes 

 which are committed in the fale of chocolate. I (hall feel 

 happy if, by adding fome observations to what has been al- 

 ready publilhed by thofe chemifts, I mould fucceed in preferv- 

 ihg the juft reputation it deferves, and which it has loft in the 

 Opinion of fome individuals only by the faults of the prepara- 

 tion, or by the addition of materials foreign to its compofition. 

 Inftance of the Among the number of perfons I have heard complain againft 

 bad efteftsaii- cnoco i ate J fi m \l inftance a lady of a tolerably good confti til- 

 ling from foreign . r-i • 

 ingredients. "On, to whom it had been prefenbedas a medicine; the ill ef- 

 fects (lie experienced from it gave me rcafon to fufpect the pu- 

 rity of her chocolate : I examined it, and found that it con- 

 tained a quantity of farinaceous matter. Now this fubftance 

 had been exprefsly forbidden by her phyfician ; I perfuaded 

 her not to difcontinue the ufe of chocolate, but to procure it 

 elfewhere: the uneafinefs, the oppreffion, and the acidity 

 which had tormented her, foon diiappeared, and her ftomach 

 Was infenfibly reftored. Thus the mean to which fhe ought 

 to have been indebted lor her cure, were likely to have proved 

 the caufe of her deftruction. 



I thought 



Partly noticed 

 by others. 



