700 
THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
[February 25, 1871. 
Poisonous Confectionery. 
Sir,—In your Journal of the 14th ult.,you reporta case 
in which two tradesmen at Dublin were fined for selling poison¬ 
ous confectionery. I regret to say this practice is not con¬ 
fined to that city. A short time since I purchased some com¬ 
fits of a most respectable tradesman in Oxford Street, and my 
suspicions being aroused by the brilliant colours of some of 
the sweets, I examined them and found that chromate of 
lead, vermilion and other metallic poisons had been used in 
their manufacture. 
On complaining to the vendor, he expressed his regret, fur¬ 
nished me with the address of the manufacturers, and said he 
would at once close his account with them, although he had 
been a customer for many years. 
Wishing to do my utmost to repress an evil so pernicious to 
the health of children, I addressed to the firm the following 
letter:—• 
“ January 2 6th, 1871. 
“ Gentlemen,—I recently purchased some comfits for my 
children from Mr. —, but having some suspicion of their ap¬ 
pearance, I have examined them, and find the colouring- 
matter to be chromate of lead, vermilion and other metallic 
ingredients of a poisonous character. On complaining to Mr. 
—, he has given me your names as the manufacturers. Should 
you be indifferent of the consequences likely to arise (espe¬ 
cially to very young and delicate children) from swallowing 
such noxious compounds, I would remind you that by using 
such colouring matters in your manufacture,' you render 
yourselves liable to a penalty. If you refer to the Pharma¬ 
ceutical Journal of January 14th, you will find the report 
of a case just decided in Dubiin, where two tradesmen were 
fined for using similar ingredients in confectionery. 
“ After this intimation I hope you will see the policy, if 
not influenced by better motives, to at once discontinue this 
objectionable practice ; but should I find at a future examina¬ 
tion that these poisonous compounds are still used by you, I 
shall consider it my duty, in every possible way, to aid in the 
suppression of an evil, the extent of which we can hardly 
estimate. 
“ I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 
“ J. Eobbins.” 
To which I received the accompanying reply:— 
“London, January 27th, 1871. 
“ Sir,—In reply to your letter respecting colours used in 
our trade, we beg to say that the public have it entirely in 
their own hands; for example, in an article called barley- 
sugar, there is not a particle of colour in it ; how much more 
wholesome to have that and several others without these 
glaring colours! which, we are informed must contain more 
or less of some chemical, which, if not prejudicial, at least 
has a tendency that way. We have our colours from 
Messrs.-, who are perfectly aware that any deleterious 
compound would be injurious to us, if it made children ill 
(for our trade lies to a great extent amongst the youngsters); 
we, therefore, always impress upon them to let us have our 
colours as free from these noxious ingredients as possible. 
“If you can suggest to Messrs. - what to send us 
(that will answer our purpose), for we are only too anxious 
ourselves that the articles should not only please, but be bene¬ 
ficial to children’s health, though, perhaps, not to their teeth. 
No one can have eaten many more of these goods than our¬ 
selves, and yet our health is in first-rate condition. 
“We heartily wish the public would have all white goods, 
it would be a valuable boon to us, but we fear they will not. 
“We are, Sir, yours respectfully, 
“ Mr. Eobbins.” - — 
# My remonstrance with the vendor may, I think, be con¬ 
sidered satisfactory. So much can hardly be said with regard 
to the manufacturers, who it would appear are determined to 
supply a demand only maintained by the ignorance of the 
public. 
January 30th, 1871. J. Eobbins. 
The Microscope and its Eevelations. 
Sir,—Deferring to Dr. Carpenter’s able lecture on the 
above subject, wherein he states, “If any of you are disposed 
to begin the study of the foraminifera, and will get the sponge 
merchants to give you tlie sand that they shake out of their 
sponges, when these come over, you will find an immense 
variety of foraminifera, which will give you plenty of occupa¬ 
tion; and there is nothing more easy to begin upon than this 
sponge sand.” 
I beg to inform those readers of your Journal who are in¬ 
terested in this valuable and instructive study that I will give 
them as much sand as they desire on application, or will send 
by post on receipt of stamps to pay postage. 
It is a matter of considerable pleasure to be able to assist 
in such a study. Fredk. Hoyenden. 
93 and 95, City Load, "Finsbury Square, F.C. 
York Chemists’ Association. 
Sir,—In reply to the inquiries of your correspondent 
“Excelsior,” of January 28th, 1871, I may inform him that 
the York Chemists’ Association is still in existence, with its 
President, Secretary and Treasurer and members. Amongst 
its members are some of the best and ablest Pharmaceutical 
Chemists of this city, who, from their experience and know¬ 
ledge, are well able to superintend classes of Materia Medica 
Chemistry and Botany for the advancement of pharmaceutical 
education among the assistants and apprentices connected 
with the trade. It has been said we English live in an age 
of wind-bags and are all going away into wind and tongue. 
I am sorry to say that, in my opinion, the York Chemists’ 
Association is no exception to this rule. Nearly two years 
ago the same question now asked respecting this Association 
was brought before the members, who, I believe, talked of 
doing something to advance the education of those under 
their charge, seeing that the examination had become com¬ 
pulsory ; but it ended in talk, for the second winter has nearly 
gone by and nothing has been done as yet. Circulars were 
sent out convening a meeting of the Association a short 
time ago, at which the attendance of the members was par¬ 
ticularly requested. Let us hope they are going to bestir 
themselves. 
The York Chemists’ Association might be made the means 
of doing a great amount of good among the young men con¬ 
nected with the trade. I believe they are not far behind 
other provincial towns in the knowledge they possess of their 
business, yet there is always something more to learn. 
York, February 7th, 1871. An Assistant. 
“ Senega ” (Nottingham).—Alkalies, or any substances con¬ 
taining caustic or carbonated alkalies, would be incompatible 
with chloral hydrate. 
“ Dolore” should apply to the Eegistrar. 
J. W. Lasham .—We should not think you were liable to 
pay duty for a still which is kept for the purpose of show as 
you describe. 
A. Plummer (Hereford).—We do not know of such a work. 
“Galen .”—The formula has been recently printed in this 
Journal, 2nd Series, Yol. XI. p. 663. 
A. P. S .—A description of the principal characteristics of 
the Natural Orders mentioned is required. There is no par¬ 
ticular reference to the work mentioned by you. 
3. 3. Pollard (Eyde).—(1.) The Lectures on Fermenta¬ 
tion are concluded. (2.) The name is not on the Eegister at 
the address stated. 
A. P. S. (Swindon).—The question as it stands is too vague 
for the Notes and Queries column. 
“Amicus .”—“ Croco,” without the accent, is the correct 
form. 
Owing to want of space we are unable to answer several 
inquiries. 
The following journals have been received:—The ‘British 
Medical Joumal,’ Feb. 18; the ‘ Medical Times and Gazette/ 
Feb. 18; the ‘ Lancet,’ Feb. 18; the £ Medical Press and Cir¬ 
cular,’ Feb. 23; ‘ Nature/ Feb. 16; the ‘ Chemical News,’ Feb. 
17 ; ‘Journal of the Society of Arts/ Feb. 16; ‘Gardeners’ 
Chronicle,’ Feb. 18; the ‘ Grocer/ Feb. 18; the ‘ Chemists and 
Druggists’ Advocate ’ for February; ‘ Produce Markets’ Ee- 
view/ Feb. 18; the ‘English Mechanic/ Feb. 18; ‘Philadel¬ 
phia Medical and Surgical Eeporter,’ Nos. 719-724. 
Communications, Letters, etc., have been received from 
Mr. E. B. Yizer, Mr. E. Bannister, Mr. Bothwell, Mr. T. H. 
Taylor, Mr. Mr. J. Finch, Mr. Wright, Mr. C. Cooke, Mr. E. 
Eeynolds, Mr. Laxom, Mr. Carteighe, Mr. C. Ekin, Mr. J ones, 
Mr. E. Mumbray, Mr. E. Eaynor, Mr. H. Hogg, Mr. S, 
Dean, Mr. T. Gregory, H. D., j. R. M., W. P., J. P., A. P., 
A. P. S., “ Fairplay,” “ Chemist,” “ Podophylhn,” “ Beta,” 
“American,” “Forceps,” “Medicina,” “ Lux.” 
