AnnualReport-1925

M(1)67

TOXICOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

Among the investigations carried out during the year, were those into 59 cases of suspected human poisoning. The following table shows the results:-

Results of Examination.

No poison found, 25 Opium found, 26 Animal toxins (ptomains) found, 2 Potassium binoxalate found, 1 Picric acid found, 1 Alcohol found, 1 Japanese Star Anise found, (Illicium religiosum), 1 Lysol found, 1 Nitric acid found, 1 Total, 59

FOOD AND DRUGS.

The past year has been marked by a very large increase in the amount of food and drug work performed in the Laboratory, as is shown by the following figures:--

Table showing number of samples of food and drugs examined in preceding years.

Year. Number of Samples. 1922. 58 1923. 62 1924. 66 1925. 339

This increase has caused the pressure of work to be at times difficult to cope with.