78 
THOMPSON YATES LABORATORIES REPORT 
kept at a temperature of 32 or 35 to 38 degrees. Previous to packing it is treated 
in some way with boracic acid, which finds its way into the flesh. The reason for 
putting it in is to check accidental decomposition, which would result from any defect 
in the cooling process. If pork is frozen it spoils the appearance and deteriorates the 
value ; hence it can only be ' chilled.' 
As illustrating the sudden increase of this trade last year, although the number 
of pigs slaughtered in the City was well maintained — in fact, was considerably in excess 
of the previous year — the imports amounted to no less than 29,000 more than in 
the preceding year, the total 36,227 being nearly five times as large as it was in the 
preceding year, when the trade appears to have commenced. Prior to that the 
carcases of dead pigs imported did not exceed a few dozen annually, the trade being 
practically nil. 
Another important aspect of the question of chemical preservatives arises in 
connection with the increasing demand for, and supply of, sterilized milk, more 
especially for infants, all over the country. 
Many of the firms supplying sterilized milk are not milk-producing firms, 
the milk being supplied by contract from wholesale milk dealers. 
It is obvious that if the milk dealers have added chemical preservatives to the 
milk sent to the sterilizing companies, the greatest danger to the health of infants 
will be incurred. It is not reasonable to expect that the sterilizing companies will 
systemat'cally, day by day, cause analyses to be made to ascertain the presence of 
these preservatives ; but their use should be altogether prohibited, and cleanliness and 
cold relied upon to ensure preservation of the milk. 
The following special samples of home and imported goods were submitted 
during 1899 for special examination, in order to determine the character and amount 
of the preservative and colouring matter used : — 
Summary 
Bacon 
... 5 
Meat Juice... 
Brawn ... 
2 
Pork Pie 
Cheese 
... 6 
Port Wine ... 
Chicken Broth 
1 
Arcticanus ... 
Claret 
Armenian Bole 
Cocoa and Milk 
Bi-Sulphite of Lime 
Condensed Milk 
2 
Indian Red 
Fruit Jelly ... 
Meat Preservative 
Ham 
... 5 
Poloney Dye 
Jams ... ■•• 
... 7 
Rose Pink ... 
Kidney Soup 
Sausage Colouring 
Meat Jelly... 
1 
Smokene . . . 
