462
4. Toxicological examinations were conducted in five other cases in order to prove the absence of poisoning, death in each case having occurred somewhat suddenly and unexpectedly.
WATERS.
5. The results of the analyses of samples from the Pokfulam and Taitam reservoirs, and from the Kowloon Service, indicate that these supplies continue to maintain their excellent qualities.
6. After heavy rains a precipitate has been found to occur in the mains leading from the wells and in the wells of the collecting area of the Kowloon water supply. This precipitate has been found to consist of (1) a small alga, (2) ferric hydrate, (3) aluminium hydrate, and (4) calcium sulphate. During these heavy rains filtration is too rapid for complete purification, consequently it has been found that a further system of purification, chiefly due to the presence of iron-work in the wells, takes place in the wells and in the mains leading therefrom. The precipitate settles easily and being removed with but little difficulty, little inconvenience may be anticipated should it occur again; however, steps have been taken to regulate the rate of filtration so as to prevent its formation.
7. In connection with a number of deaths on the S.S. Cheang Hock Kian, a bacteriological examination was made of two tanks of drinking water. In one tank the "comina bacillus" was isolated, and the cholera-red reaction was given by a pure culture of the organism.
In Appendix A will be found the results of the analyses of 101 well waters.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCES, 1873 AND 1892.
8. Thirteen steamers with petroleum in bulk arrived from Batoum during the year and discharged the whole or part of their cargoes. The samples of oil were found to give off inflammable vapour at temperatures considerably above the 73° F. limit.
MILK.
9. The results of the analyses of 11 samples were as follows:-
PERCENTAGE BY WEIGHT OF Solids.
No.
DATE OF ANALYSIS.
NON-FATTY.
FAT.
TOTAL.
ASH.
— GOD TOON 00
1
February 28,
7.03
2.17
9.20
.46
2
6.08
2.6
8.68
.40
3
23
March 17,
*
8.81
3.21
12.02
.69
8.76
4.19
12.95
.67
5
20,
7.89
1.79
9.68
.53
6
25,
8.01
2.06
10.07
.49
>>
7
April 13,....
9.14
4.91
14.05
.65
8
9.29
3.66
12.95
.64
"J
9 July 29,
10 11
19
-
10.90
5.36
16.26
.64
10.23
4.36
14.39
.62
October 16,
8.65
4.49
13.14
.64.
The samples marked 1, 2, 5, and 6, respectively, were found to contain added water to the extent of 17 per cent., 28 per cent., 7 per cent., and 6 per cent., respectively, calculated on the presence of 8.5 per cent. of "solids not fat" in the original milk. The remaining samples were of good quality.
THE FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINance, 1896.
10. This new Ordinance was assented to by His Excellency the Governor on the 19th day of August, 1896. Under this Ordinance one sample of milk was forwarded by the Public to the Government Laboratory for examination."
THE MORPHINE ORDINANCE, 1893.
11. There were four prosecutions under this Ordinance and 12 exhibits were forwarded for examination. Ten were found to coutain morphine hydrochloride.
THE SPIRIT LICENCES ORDINANCE, 1886.
F
12. Three samples of alcoholic liquors were found to contain 17.2, 17.2, and 17.7 per cent., respectively, of alcohol by weight. The vendor was prosecuted for selling these liquors without a
licence.
H