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In the case of one of the potassium cyanide investigations, in addition to hydrocyanic acid being detected in the stomach & contents, in the liver, the lung, the urine and the brain, cyanohaemoglobin was detected spectroscopically in the blood, a fact of rare occurrence in such cases.
Lysol has figured among the poisons detected during the past two years.
Should its use for self-destruction tend to increase, the question of imposing restrictions on the sale of such carbolic acid preparations may have to be considered.
FOOD AND Drugs.
During the year 356 samples of food and drugs taken by the Inspectors of the Sanitary Department, were examined and of this number, 16 were found to be adulterated. The following Table shows the nature of the substances examined :—
Substance.
Number of samples! analysed.
Number found
Number found ad-
genuine.ulterated.
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F
MINERALOGICAL ANALSES.
The 213 samples of metals and ores examined during the year comprised the following :-
Substance.
Alloys Antimony Nickel Copper
Metals.
Ores.
1926. 1925.
Substance.
1926. 1925.
+
Antimony Bauxite ... Bismuthite
2
Iron
Silver
O
Manganese
23
Tin...
114 208
Lead'
Tin Ore Wolfram
34
42
Galena
1
Total,...... 126
220
87
90
Tea
12
12
Fresh milk
136
131
Tinned milk
9
Bread
43
43
Butter
13
13
Pepper
9
9
Honey
1
Jam
2
2
Sugar
27
27
Liniment of turpentine
6
6
Coffee
21
20
Lard
5
5
Vinegar
22
20
Flour
19
19
Olive oil
Tinct. Camphor Co.
Tincture of Iodine
Cheese
Mustard
11
OOC00000OOHONOOONOOO
2
Tapioca
Total
356
340
16
In many of the cases of adulteration, proceedings were taken against the vendors.
WATER SUPPLIES.
Samples of drinking water from the public supplies to the number of 903 have been examined in the Laboratory during 1926. Of this number, 220 were specimens of filtered and unfiltered water taken at the various filter beds each month, and the remainder were tap samples taken of the water as it reaches the consumer. These were taken by the laboratory staff from taps in various parts of the City.
The colour of the water has on the whole been satisfactory. most of the City supplies averaging well below 10 Lovibond colour units in the 24 inch tube. The worst filtered water examined was that supplied by the Aberdeen filter beds in April which gave a reading of 79.4 colour units. No nitrites nor heavy metals were found in any of filtered or unfiltered waters examined, nor has the albumenoid ammonia in any case exceeded 0.0100 parts per 100,000; in nearly, all specimens it was below 0.004 and usually below 0.002.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
Special Reports have been prepared during the year on "Proof Spirit in Cassia Oil", "Kerosene in Cassia Oil and its Detection", "Synthetic Cinnamic Aldehyde in Cassia oil", "The Composition of Chinese Insect Wax". "Insect Sprays" and "Oxygen for Medical Purposes.
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