THE ETHICS OF FOOD 



III. BREAD 



(Second Article) 



Since the previous article was written (Science Progress, April 

 191 1) two important reports dealing with Bread and Flour have 

 been issued by the Local Government Board, both the work 

 of Dr. J. M. Hamill. 1 The subject was also brought under 

 discussion at the recent meeting of the British Association at 

 Portsmouth. As the statements in Dr. Hamill's reports are 

 likely to be regarded by the public as authoritative and may 

 even form a basis for legislation, it appears desirable to extend 

 the scope of the previous article and to examine them critically 

 at some length. 



It will not be denied that in a Government Report on such a 

 subject the scientific evidence available should be marshalled 

 without bias and that the conclusions drawn should be only 

 those that are justly deducible from the facts. In his earlier 

 report, Dr. Hamill appears to have erred in allowing the popular 

 prejudice of the moment to affect his judgment ; his later report 

 is more satisfactory in this respect and may be recommended as 

 a reasoned and temperate document. 



It is impossible to survey the situation created by the recent 

 newspaper campaign without realising the difficulties with 

 which we are faced. Obviously it has been for the most part in 

 the hands of irresponsible literary agents whose chief desire 

 has been to make copy and secure advertisement ; with few 

 exceptions,, those who have been bona-fide contributors to the 

 discussion have been actuated by sentiment alone : it cannot 

 have been otherwise, as the knowledge is wanting which would 



1 " Reports to the Local Government Board on the bleaching of flour and the 

 addition of so-called 'improvers' to flour." By Dr. J. M. Hamill and Dr. G. W. 

 Monier-Williams. Food Reports, No. 12 (Cd. 5613), Price 3^. — "Report on the 

 nutritive value of bread made from different varieties of wheat flour." By 

 Dr. J. M. Hamill. Food Reports, No. 14 (Cd. 5831), London : Wyman & Sons, 

 Price id. 



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