29 



quantity. Yet the amilysis shows a weighable quantity of zinc in 100 

 grams. The amount ordinarily consumed by any one i)erson m an 

 ordinary meal would probably not exceed 100 grams, so that at the 

 most not more than 10 milligrams of zinc would be introduced into his 

 system, a quantity entirely too small to produce any harmful result. 

 In giving the quantity of zinc found hereunder it is understood that it 

 refers to the amount in 100 grams of the evaporated fruit. 



In the next sample, Xo. 1407(3, is found a distinct increase in the quan- 

 tity of zinc, and the fruit in question was known to have been dried on 

 galvanized iron trays and not to have been mixed with other samples 

 before the part for analysis was secured. The quantity of zinc found 

 is nearly three times as great as in the first sami;)le. 



In the next sample, Xo. 11077, is found another instance of fruit known 

 to have been dried on galvanized iron wire trays. A comparison be- 

 tween the two samples indicates how wide the variations maybe under 

 conditions which seem to be identical. The explanation of this is found 

 in the fact that in a sample taken promiscuously it is possible at one 

 time to secure a large number of slices which have been in intimate 

 contact with the galvanized wire, and at another a majority of the 

 slices may represent those which were not, or only in partial contact, 

 with the wire. 



In sample 11078 a small quantity of zinc is found, and the comment 

 made on the preceding sample is equally applicable to this one. 



In sample 11079 a trace of zinc was found amounting, in fact, to 2.1 

 milligrams. This sample was certified as having been dried on wooden 

 trays. It was secured from a very large dealer, and it is entirely pos- 

 sible that a few slices of evaporated apples dried on galvanized iron 

 may have found a place in it. A sanix)le containing, however, so small 

 a quantity of zinc as indicated could not i)ossibly be condemned on any 

 sanitary grounds, unless, indeed, the presence of even a trace of zinc 

 in evaporated ai)ples should be considered a sufficient reason for j)ro- 

 Ihibiting their sale altogether. It must be remembered, also, that in 

 quantities so small as those mentioned some allowance must be made 

 for the ordinary errors in analysis, and unless a residue, which, for the 

 quantity mentioned gives distiiu*t ({ualitive reactions for zinc, is obtained 

 the chemist can not positively testify to its occurrence. 



In sample 11081, obtained from the same firm as the preceding, and 

 purchased as having been dried on galvanized iron wire tra^'S, a small 

 quantity, amounting to 10 milligrams of zinc oxid, was found. Xo spe- 

 cial comment is indicated on this sample. 



In sample 14082, which was said to have been dried on wooden trays, 

 not even a trace of zinc Avas found. 



Sample 14123 is a sample of evaporated apples transmitted by Consul- 

 General JMason, of Frankfort, accompanied by a dispatch to the State 

 Department dated May 22, 1895. The sample is described in Mr. :\Iason's 

 dispatch as one which had been (condemned by the police authorities ol; 



