OI^FlCIAIv INSPECTIONS 40. 99 



SWEET OIL. 



Although they knew better, a few 5^ears ago some druggists 

 in the State were selhng cottonseed and other vegetable oils 

 that did not come from the olive as sweet oil. There were a few 

 prosecutions and the practice ceased. Maine druggists are now 

 dispensing only olive oil under the name of sweet oil. When 

 the inspectors were making the rounds the past summer and 

 fall they found in the general stores two ounce bottles of 

 sweet oil that were not always olive oil. As in each instance 

 it developed at the hearings that these were old goods, their 

 analyses are not here published nor the names of the people 

 who put them up. Evidence was given that the practice of 

 putting up cottonseed oil under the name of sweet oil had 

 stopped long before these misbranded goods were found. 



BLACK ANTIMONY. 



This is a material that is used quite largely in veterinary 

 practice and in 1908 it was found to be grossly adulterated. 

 Every sample of black antimony purchased in the State was 

 found to consist of ground limestone and carbon. The sale of 

 this kind of material for veterinary purposes still continues, but 

 it is sold under the name of "Horse Medley". It is, of course, 

 perfectly inert so far as remedial qualities are concerned: 



Quite extended purchases were made of black antimony by 

 the inspectors throughout the State during the past winter and 

 in all but three cases they were given practically chemically pure 

 antimony sulphide which is true black antimony. In three 

 instances the adulterated article was sold to tlie inspector. In 

 two cases the dealers made affidavit that they purchased the 

 goods for straight black antimony. This was further substan- 

 tiated by the fact that they carried "Plorse Medley" in addition 

 to what they supposed to be the pure black antimony. Unfor- 

 tunately the sales could not be traced back to the wholesaler, 

 and the cases were dropped. 



The sample of black antimony purchased at the drug store 

 of R. H. Berry, Pittsfield, was found to consist largely of cal- 

 cium carbonates and carbon and carried a small amount of cop- 

 per, iron, magnesium and silica. The case was compromised 

 without prosecution on the payment of a small penalty. 



