ADULTERATION OF FOOD. 



349 



of a large octavo, replete with details of the fraudulent 

 contaminations commonly practised by the people's pur- 

 veyors, at the people's expense of health and pocket. 1 



" In nearly all articles," said Dr. Hassall, before a com- 

 mittee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire 

 into these adulterations, " whether food, drink, or drugs, 

 my opinion is that adulteration prevails. And many of 

 the substances employed in the adulterating process were 

 not only injurious to health, but even poisonous." The 

 microscope was the effective instrument in the work of 



Fig. Hi.— Tea adulterated with foreign leaves. (After Hassall.) 



a, upper surface of leaf; b, lower surface, showing cells; c, chlorophyll cells; 

 d, elongated cells found on the upper surface of the leaf in the course of the 

 veins ; e, spiral vessel ; /, cell of turmeric ; g, fragment of Prussian blue ; h- 

 particles of white powder, probably China clay. 



detection. Less than five years ago, it would, we are told, 

 have been impossible to detect the presence of chicory in 

 coffee : in fact, the opinion of three distinguished chemists 

 was actually quoted in the House of Commons to that effect ; 



(1) Food and its Adulterations ; comprising the Reports of the Analytical Sani- 

 tary Commission of the Lancet, for the years 1851 to 1854 inclusive. By Arthui 

 Hill Hassall, M.D. 



