Quarterly Report of the Chemical Committee , December , 1894. 751 
In reply to inquiries, Mr. Tallent said that the cake was one of 
foreign make, and 60 tons had been sold to him for forward 
delivery by friends of his, though under a guarantee of purity. 
The contract was, in consequence, cancelled. 
Poisoning by Castor-oil Bean. 
The following case shows the great risk run in buying sweepings 
of mills, floors, &c., and using them as food for stock. 
7. Mr. S. Skinner, of Leeds, Maidstone, sent for analysis on 
August 13 a sample of what he described as “mixed cake,” adding 
that he had lost several sheep after feeding with it. The sample in 
question was taken direct from the feeding-troughs. 
Dr. Yoelcker’s report was : — 
August 22, 1894. 
Dear Sir, — I beg to report to you that I have examined the sample of 
mixed cake sent by you, and that 1 find present in it castor-oil bean husks. 
These, I need hardly point out, are of poisonous nature. It is a most risky 
proceeding to purchase sweepings of wharves, warehouses, mills, See., and to 
use these as food for cattle. 
I take it you purchased without any guarantee as to the fitness of the 
material as food. — Yours faithfully, J. Augustus Voelcker. 
S. Skinner, Esq. 
It appeared that out of a flock of ninety-six sheep, twenty-five 
died, and all the rest were more or less affected. The veterinary 
examination quite coincided with Dr. Yoelcker’s analysis. About 10 
tons of the cake were bought, at 51. 15s. per ton. It was supposed 
to be a mixture of linseed cake, common cotton cake, and decorti- 
cated cotton cake, and was collected from wharves, warehouses, and 
landing-stages. The cake having been purchased from a friend, more 
particulars could not be obtained, except that full compensation was 
made for the losses sustained. 
Emlyn, 
13 Hanover Square, London, W. Chairman. 
December 11, 1894. 
REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE 
ON THE SOCIETY’S SENIOR EXAMINATION. 
In view of the discussions which have of late taken place in 
the Council as to the continuance of the Life Memberships which 
have heretofore been granted to winners of First Class Certificates 
at the Society’s Senior Examination, the Education Committee 
think there may be advantage in placing upon record, for the in- 
formation of the Council and the general body of Members, the 
facts as to the origin and growth of the system of what is now 
known as the Society’s Senior Examination. 
1. This examination was first held in 1868, a previous system, 1 * 3 
1 For particulars of this system, see Mr. S. B. L. Druce’s paper in Vol. II. 
2nd series (1866), page 209. 
3 d 2 
