OP ARTS AND SCIENCES. 149 



VII. 



SPECIMENS OF MILK FROM THE VICINITY OF 



BOSTON. 



By S. p. Siiakples, S.B. 



Presented, Dec. 14, 1875. 



In 1873, Dr. Arthur H. Nichols of this city made a report to the 

 State Board of Health in regard to adulteration of milk. In this 

 report, certain analyses of milk made by Prof. J. F. Babcock were 

 quoted : these specimens were seven in number, and of the following 

 average composition : — 



Specific gravity 1.033 



Cream volume, per cent 8 to 9 



Total solids, weight per cent 14.55 



Sugar, weight per cent 5.08 



Ash 86 



Water 85.45 



These samples were not selected, but were bought from regular deal- 

 ers who were known to be honest. In view of the fact that the 14.55 

 is much above the average amount of solids as given by most European 

 chemists, it becomes a matter of interest to ascertain if the milk pro- 

 duced in this vicinity is better than the average, or whether this 

 was a mere accidental occurrence. 



During the last summer I had an opportunity of procuring from 

 Stoneham some twenty specimens of milk. These were brought to 

 me by my assistant, Arthur Steele, who was present during the milk- 

 ing of the cows, and who asserts they were not tampered with in any 

 manner. The milk was produced by cows belonging to ditFerent 

 owners, the owner's name in each case being given in connection with 

 the description of the cow. 



The method of analysis was as follows : — 



For specific gravity one hundred cubic centimetres of the milk were 

 poured into a flask that held this amount of water at 15 ®5 C, the 

 temperature was observed by the thermometer, and the milk was 

 cooled or warmed until it stood at 15 ^b ; it was then weighed. This 

 same portion of milk was placed in a graduated cylinder, and allowed 



