M 163
13. The samples arrive in the Laboratory at infrequent intervals and usually in batches of six or more. A number of similar foodstuffs is easier to handle quickly in the Laboratory than a miscellaneous collection, but this method of sampling cannot be regarded as a reliable safeguard on the quality of goods supplied to a purchaser. Normally, at least 60 samples should be submitted weekly for analysis, and those of as variegated a nature as possible.
14. Several prosecutions were undertaken by the Sanitary Department as a result of analyses carried out here. One of the most important was for an adulterated ghee. This case was useful as it raised the question of the quality of ghee supplied to the Police Department. A note on this is to be found elsewhere in this report. Difficulties arise in these prosecutions through the absence of standards for foodstuffs other than milk. These difficulties will be removed when the new Food & Drugs Bill becomes operative.
Water Samples.
15. More work under this head is to be reported, and again the chemical examination of local water supplies shows them to be above reproach.
16. During the autumn, a detailed examination of 50 wells and water from them was carried out in conjunction with the Sanitary Department. These waters are used in the manufacture of preserved fruits, noodles, &c. by food factories situated in Kowloon City and elsewhere. From a chemical examination, only three or four of these waters could be said to be free from gross sewage pollution. In many cases, the so-called wells were little better than cess-pools, and no attempts to keep them in a sanitary condition appeared to have been made by the proprietors.
Dangerous Goods.
17. These were samples of oils from lighters, etc. for flash point, and explosives for identification in connection with the enforcement of the Ordinance.
Bio-Chemical Examinations.
Blood for blood urea nitrogen and blood sugar 15 samples. urea nitrogen sugar 33 21 99 Calcium and blood sugar 1 71 carbon monoxide 2 27 Urine 64 Vesical Calculus 22 Stool 6 Human Milk 1 Cerebral Spinal Fluid 1 Total 166 samples.Page 17