12 FOOD LAWS OF THJ5 UNITED KINGDOM. 



all articles of food which is imposed on the Local Government Board 

 in the interests of the consumer. 



TECHNICAL QUESTIONS REFERRED TO SPECIAL COMMISSIONS. 



MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS MADE BY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, LOCAL 



GOVERNMENT BOARD. 



An expert subdivision of the medical department of the Local Gov- 

 ernment Board has been established for five years, and handles 

 technical and administrative questions relating to the purity and 

 wholesomeness of the food and drug supply of the country. The 

 duties required of this separate division are "to advise the board as 

 to the administration of the sale of food and drugs acts and other acts 

 relating to food questions ; to deal with matters relating to the purity 

 and adulteration of foods which are brought to the board's attention 

 by public analysts, medical officers of health, and others; to obtain 

 information upon special questions relating to the purity and adultera- 

 tion of food, and the use of deleterious substances therein ; and to make 

 suitable inquiries and investigations for the purpose." At the present 

 time the work is under the control of a chief inspector of foods and 

 five inspectors. 1 The technical assistance necessary to carry on the 

 work of this staff is obtained from various sources "by means of the 

 allowance allowed to the subdepartment for laboratory assistance and 

 investigation." 



Beginning in 1906, the medical department of the Local Government 

 Board has published from time to time special reports of the inspectors 

 of foods, in addition to annual reports by the chief inspector. Up to 

 the present time 13 reports have appeared. These reports are of great 

 interest and of particular value in many ways to those who are inter- 

 ested in the relation of food to public health. Some of these reports 

 likewise deal with other subjects of moment to the manufacturer of 

 foodstuffs as well as to those who are interested in the administration 

 of our various food laws, both State and National. The reports, 2 as 

 far as published, are as follows: 



1. On the changes in certain meat essences kept for several years in tins (1906). 

 Dr. G. S. Buchanan and Dr. S. B. Schryver, D. Sc. 



2. Lead and arsenic in tartaric acid, citric acid, and cream of tartar (1907). Dr. 

 A. W. J. MacFadden. 



3. On certain imported meat foods of questionable wholesomeness (1908). Dr. G. S. 

 Buchanan. 



4. On inquiries with regard to the wholesomeness of tripe of home and foreign origin 

 (1908). Dr. A. W. J. MacFadden. 



5. On the preparation and sale of vinegar in relation to the administration of the 

 sale of food and drugs act (1908). Dr. J. M. Hamill. 



6. On preservatives in meat foods packed in cans or glass (1908). Dr. A. W. J. Mac- 

 Fadden. 



1 The acting chief inspector of foods is Dr. Q. S. Buchanan. 



2 These reports are sold at from 3 to 4 pence apiece and may be had from Wyman & Sons (Ltd.), Fetter 

 Lane, London, E. C.; Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh; or E. Ponsonby, 116 Grafton Street, Dublin. 



