15 



White pepper. Fourteen samples examined, of which only 7 were 

 genuine. The adulterants were wheat, rice, and ginger. 



Black pepper. Sixty-two samples examined, 37 genuine and 25 

 adulterated. The adulterants used were chiefly wheat, rice, and corn. 



Cayenne. Four examined, 2 adulterated. 



Mace. Two simples examined, both adulterated. 



Cassia. Examined 13, all genuine bat 1. 



Cloves. Examined 12, all of fair quality. 



Ginger. Examined 54, of which 45 were genuine and 9 adulterated. 

 The adulterants were wheat, rice, and corn. 



TIN POISON IN MOLASSES. 



Thirty-three cases of adulteration of molasses with salts of tin are 

 cited in Dr. Wood's report for 1886. Speaking of this article Dr. Abbott 

 says, page 84 : 



It was also found by experiment that the same salt was exceedingly poisonous 

 when administered to animals in moderate doses, one-fourth to one half grain pro- 

 ducing symptoms of acute poisoning, followed by death in a few minutes, the drug be- 

 ing administered in various modes, both in solid form and in solution. The lesion of 

 internal organs caused by the ingestion of the poison were well marked, the stom- 

 ach especially presenting the appearance caused by an active corrosive poison. The 

 substance was also detected in the liver. 



Of 1,468 samples of food (including milk) and drugs examined in 

 Massachusetts for the four months ending September 30, 1886, 926 were 

 found good quality, and 542 not conforming to statutes. It will be found 

 from this that even after the continued enforcement of the anti-adultera- 

 tion laws from 1882, when food laws were just enacted, that there still 

 remained in 1886 over one-third of the products examined " not con- 

 forming to the statutes." 



RELATIVE TO CALVES. 



It is unlawful in Massachusetts to kill or sell any calf under four 

 weeks old, and when such veal is found it must be destroyed. The 

 penalty for knowingly selling such a calf is imprisonment not to exceed 

 six months and a fine not to exceed $200, or both. 



NEW YORK. 



I am greatly indebted to Mr. Lewis Balch, secretary of the State board 

 of health, for their valuable reports and the promptness and courtesy 

 with which they were sent. These reports extend through a series of 

 years, and are not only comprehensive but exhaustive. 



I find the following in the reports (on page 20, report of 1888) : 



The analyst of food lias examined a considerable number of largely. employed food 

 articles and accessories and has pointed out various fraudulent practices which should 

 be suppressed. Fortunately most of the common sophistications are such aato affect 

 the pocket of the consumer more than they injure the health, but they are none the 

 less to be condemned. 



