GENERAL PAPERS 109 
SAFEGUARDING THE FOOD AND WATER SUPPLY 
—A FUNCTION OF THE STATE 
E. H. S. BArLtey, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS 
Some protection of our food and water supply from acci- 
dental impurities or those that have been purposely added nas 
been regarded as of importance since the earliest times. The 
workmen excavating on the site of the ancient city of Samaria 
found the labels still intact on some of the jars of wines and 
oils with statements as to where the wine was produced. We 
are not much in advance of that time in requiring that the 
label on the food package shall bear a true statement as to its 
contents. 
In England as far back as the time of King John (1203), 
laws were passed regulating the sale of bread, and in the fol- 
lowing reign the “‘pillory and tumbrel act,” as it was designated, 
was passed for the express purpose of protecting the public 
from the dishonest dealings of bakers, vintners, brewers, butch- 
ers, and other food purveyors. It was in force for more than 
four hundred years and very severe penalties were decreed for 
any violation of the statutes. “The punishment was made to 
fit the crime,’”’ as when the seller of impure butter was made to 
sit in the pillory and have the butter crushed over his head, and 
there he was required to remain until it had been melted by the 
sun. 
In Germany, in 1435, a certain taverner and his wife were 
exposed on the pillory in a cask from which they had sold 
adulterated wine. This appeal to shame and disgrace has been 
replaced in the twentieth century by a fine and confiscation of 
the goods. Does it indicate a change in the incentives of the 
people? 
Doctor A. H. Hassall. more than any other Englishman, 
should have the credit of arousing the people in 1850 to the 
appalling state of the food supply by his examinations, especial- 
ly of coffee, cocoa, cayenne pepper, bread and confectionery on 
the market. The result of his investigations, published in 
The Lancet, led to the ““Adulteration of Food and Drink Act,” 
which was passed in 1860. 
