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LII. Some Experiments made with a view to the Detection 
and Prevention of Frauds in the Sale of skimmed Milk; to- 
gether with an Account of a simple Lactometer for effecting 
that Purpose. By Epmunp Davy, Esq. Professor of Che- 
mistry and Secretary to the Royal Cork Institution. 
Sxrmep milk, as is well known, is used to a very great ex- 
tent in Ireland, and especially in the South*, where it forms 
an indispensable part of the subsistence of the lower orders. 
Potatoes and skimmed milk, indeed, constitute almost their 
sole, or at least their principal food. It is therefore of much im- 
portance, that an article which essentially contributes to the 
support of a very large portion of the community, should be sup- 
plied in a genuine unadulterated state. Unfortunately this has 
not been the case. Much of the skimmed milk exposed for sale 
in our milk markets, has been largely adulterated with water; 
and for want of the means of detection, this fraud has been prac- 
tised with impunity, not only in Cork, but also in other parts 
of the country. An unsuccessful attempt had been made to re- 
medy this evil. Persons called ¢asters were appointed to inspect 
the milk markets in Cork, and empowered to detain such milk 
as they supposed to be adulterated. But the inadequacy of such 
a mode of prevention must be apparent; for nothing can be more 
vague and uncertain than decisions founded upon the mere taste 
and appearance of milk. In consequence of the total incompe- 
tency of éasters, to preyent the commission of frauds in the sale 
of skimmed milk, a Committee composed of respectable farmers, 
&c. was formed for the express purpose of putting a stop to this 
disgraceful practice, so injurious both to the poor, and to the 
fair dealer, The Committee waited upon our active chief ma- 
gistrate Sir Anthony Perriere, knt., to apprize him of their in- 
tention, and to solicit his assistance, Anxious to co-operate with 
the Committee in promoting a measure of acknowledged public 
utility, Sir Anthony afforded every assistance in his power, and 
promised to adopt any practical remedy which should be devised. 
At his suggestion, the Committee consulted me as to the best 
means of carrying their design into execution, and in compliance 
with their request, | directed my best attention to the considera- 
tion of the subject. An instrument on the principle of the hy- 
drometer, seemed to promise the simplest means that could be 
employed for the detection and prevention of frauds in the sale 
of skimmed milk; but whether it was practicable to construct 
such an instrument, depended upon circumstances which could 
* The sale of skimmed milk in the markets of Cork alone, I am informed, 
amounts to about 1O00/. per week. 
Vol. 58, No, 282, Oct. 1821. Hh only 
