—
308
TOXICOLOGICAL
3. Among the chemico-legal investigations conducted during the year were 13 cases of suspected human poisoning. in 3 of which opium was detected. The other cases included one death-suicidal from Datura Alba, the alkaloid (hyoscine) of which plant was isolated from the stomach contents and itentified. Mylabris Cicohrii, the Chinese blistering bulb. Pan-mau (which contains about 1 per cent. of cantharidin) was found in some tea that had caused unpleasant symptoms. In a case of attempted poisoning by means of native arsenic so much of the poison was user that the object in view was defeated, as violent vomiting supervened. From the cooking utensils and remains of the food over 9 grains of arsenious oxide were recovered. An European, whilst under the influence of alcohol, swallowed, by mistake, some "battery-fluid" bichromate of potash and sulphuric acid. The post-mortem material afforded plain evidence of the cause of death. the remaining cases nothing of a poisonous nature could be detuted although in one instance some seeds were present in the stomash which resembled those of an Euphortinceous plant.
In
4. It is much to be regretted that for some years it has not been possible to condust investigations in this Laboratory into the active principles of the many plants used in native medicine, especially those indigenous to South China. The continually increasing demands, made by the Government and public alike, for analyses, have left no time for research work.
WATERS.
5. The customary monthly analyses were made throughout the year of samples of water from the Public Supplies Pukfulum, Tytam, Kowloon, and the Cheung Sha Wan sources. In every instance the water was found to maintain its high standard.
6. Of 57 samples examined for the Sanitary Board and private individuals 15 were condemned as being unfit for drinking purposes. The majority of these un wholesome waters were obtained from Chinese wells in the New Territory. l'articulars of the analyses of the Public Supplies and other waters are contained in two appendices to this report.
DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
7. 269 samples of Petroleum Oil were tested during the year, of which num- ber 9 were found to give off inflammable vapour at temperatures below 73° F. The "flash-point" of the remaining samples ranged from 73° to over 95° F. the samples of liquid fuel flashed at temperatures exceeding 150° F.
FOOD AND RUGS Ordinance.
All
8. The following table gives the results of 28 analyses na le at the instance of the Police and the Sanitary Board:--
Description.
No. found
No. of Samples.
!
Genuine.
No. found Adulterated.
Brandy,
Gin,
Milk, Whisky,
WON W
2
10
13
3000 10 00
13
COND
Many other samples were examined for the public, at the low fee prescribed by the Ordinance.