14 



essary to protect an honest man in doing an honest business, and to 

 enable the consumer to secure exactly what he asks for, pays for, and 

 has a right to get. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 



The State of Massachusetts has very carefully investigated the ques- 

 tion of food adulterations, and has probably the fullest and most com- 

 plete laws upon the subject in this country. I glean from the " Manual 

 for the use of Boards of Health of Massachusetts," that there are not 

 only general laws looking to the prevention of adulteration, sophistica- 

 tion, and misbranding and the sale of diseased, tainted, and under-age 

 meats, but special laws relating to the sale of oleomargarine and other 

 butter and cheese imitations, vinegar, milk, and lard. The general laws 

 relate to the adulteration and sophistication of drugs, food, liquor, and 

 provide for the inspection of meats. They provide for fines and im- 

 prisonments, but also rely upon publication of the misdeed as a strong 

 preventive. The bill in many of its provisions is similar to House bill 

 11266, introduced by Mr. Laird in the last Congress and reported favor- 

 aby from the Committee on Agriculture. 



Dr. S. W. Abbott, secretary of the State board of health, in the.sixth 

 annual report of the Massachusetts board of health makes the following 

 statement : 



The principal articles liable to adulteration are milk, butter, spices, vinegar, cream 

 of tartar, and various sorts of drugs. The value of these articles specified, afc present 

 consumed in the State, may be stated in round numbers at $15, 000, 000 annually. 



It may safely be stated that the enforcement of the statutes has resulted in a sav- 

 ing to the consumers of at least 5 per cent, of this amount, or $750,000, a sum equal 

 to seventy-five times the amount expended in the enforcement of the laws. 



REPORT ON ADULTERATION. 



The result of Dr. Wood's analysis for 1886, as reported to the Mas- 

 sachusetts board of health, pages 109, 110, 111, show the following 

 adulterations : 



Coffee essences. Two samples, consisting largely of chicory, burnt 

 starch, and caramel. 



Molasses. Sixty-eight samples examined with special reference to 

 presence of tin. In 33 samples tin was found. 



Honey. Out of 7 samples 5 were adulterated with cane sugar and 

 glucose. 



Baking poivders. Five samples, analyzed for alum and all found to 

 contain it. 



Cream of tartar. Eighty-four samples examined, 64 of which con- 

 tained less than 6 per cent, of impurity. Twenty were adulterated with 

 flour, terra alba, or other foreign substances varying in extent from 10 

 to 82 per cent. 



Mustard. Forty-six samples, 20 genuine, 26 adulterated. 



