Report of the Chemical Examiner to Government. 51 



the same time so simple, that they might be taught with ease to any 

 intelligent person employed in the Salt Department. They occupied 

 a very disproportionate share of time and attention, compared with 

 their value, and to the neglect of more important duties. The chief 

 impurities contained in the salt, were sand and sulphate of soda. 



Section IV. 



Miscellaneous subjects. 



1 . A sword from the Magistrate of Burdwan, with which a murder 

 was supposed to have been committed, and in which it was required 

 to ascertain whether certain spots on the blade were stains of blood 

 or rust of iron. 



The examination was a very delicate and difficult one, and the 

 result, that the spots were conjectured to be rust of iron, mixed with 

 some albuminous and unctuous matters used for removing the same. 



2. Specimens of water found entering a public drain, and forwarded 

 by the Chief Magistrate of Calcutta, to ascertain if they contained any 

 substances which might prove injurious to the health of the community. 



They were found to contain noxious gases in sufficient quantity to 

 asphyxiate coolies entering the drain to clean it, before means of puri- 

 fying its polluted atmosphere had been adopted ; but not enough to 

 exercise any deleterious influence, upon those not immediately ex- 

 posed to their effects in a confined, unventilated space. 



3. Samples of the food supplied to the prisoners in the zillah 

 jail of Allypore, to ascertain whether it was injurious to health, 

 on being eaten the following day in a cold state. 



The chemical changes which took place were carefully noted, 

 and found to be such as would undoubtedly give rise to low forms of 

 fever and other diseases, in those who were placed on such diet. 



4. The station jail at Rajshahye, was reported by the Officiating 

 Magistrate, Mr. T. C. Loch, to be rendered nearly uninhabitable 

 by bugs, although a new building, and instructions were requested as 

 to the best mode of getting rid of them. These were detailed, and a 

 report at the end of a few months requested, to show whether the cure 

 suggested had been effectual. 



5. Two pieces of a scabbard, sent by the Magistrate of Mynpooree, 

 to ascertain if certain spots upon them had been produced by blood. 



