22 



better goods, which induced dealers to comply with the demand. He 

 adds that he is convinced that the responsibility rests upon the people 

 who are so ready to protest against adulteration. He says : 



There can be no other reason given for the wholesale use of colors in the prepara- 

 tion of confectionery, pastry, ice-cream, green peas, pickles, macaroni, milk, butter, 

 coffee, tea, etc., than that the public demand them. (Dr. Bartley's report page 33, 

 1887.) 



Not less than ten or twelve of these -colors used in these various foods have been 

 condemned and their use prohibited. During the past few months one large con- 

 fectionery factory was found to be usiug two poisonous colors. One macaroni factory 

 in this city was found to bo using Martin's yellow or triniter napthaline, to impart a 

 rich color, in imitation of the color imparted by eggs. The same poisonous color was 

 found in another factory; but there was no evidence that it had been used. This color 

 is sold under the name of artificial saffron and other trade names to conceal its iden- 

 tity. The demand for these yellow-colored foods has repeatedly led to the use of 

 chrome yellow and other poisonous colors.* 



Dr. Bartley pertinently remarks: 



It is not enough to say that the amount of these poisonous colors used is too small 

 to do harm. Auy amount of a poison is too much to be allowed to be used for human 

 food, especially when it is to be administered by an ignorant servant or careless work- 

 man. 



He cites a case of a family receiving a sample of pistachio ice-cream 

 by Bretnis Green, and flavored with bitter almonds. On the subject of 

 the poisonous creams Dr. Bartley says (page 34) : 



It seems difficult to suppose that an ordinary palate or stomach could be deluded 

 into the idea that it was receiving strawberry ice-cream because the latter contained 

 some red aniline and amyl ethers. A very small amount of fusel oil (amylic alcohol) 

 in a whisky is popularly 'regarded as very detrimental to the health of the con- 

 sumers, while a plate of some kinds of ice-cream or a glass of soda-water frequently 

 contains more fusel oil than five glasses of poor whisky. 



Speaking of soda, an interesting paper can be found on pages 51 and 

 52 of the New Jersey dairy commissioner's report* for 1888, in which 

 analysis showed the presence of lead, copper, zinc, and tin. The com- 

 missioner recommends that the use of bottles whose stoppers consist of 

 " a loop of coated brass wire and a tin button containing lead with a 

 rubber belt be prevented." 



Dr. Bartley, in referring to the coloring of peas, beans, etc., with 

 copper, says the board of health had legalized them under certain 

 conditions, viz, that copper not to exceed three-quarters of a grain to the 

 avoirdupois pound of peas or beans, equivalent to 3 grains of crystallized 

 sulphate of copper, and that it should be plainly stated on the label. 

 The regulations of the board, both as to labeling and amount of copper 

 used, it seems were frequently violated, even by the very parties who 

 instigated the regulations. I am glad to add that Dr. Bartley secured 

 the conviction of two parties brought to trial for violation of the rules 

 of the board. 



[When it is recollected that these colored and poisonous vegetables are brought 

 into direct competition with the product of our market gardeners, and not only 



* See Report of Philadelphia Board of Health, referred to elsewhere. 



