278
TOXICOLOGICAL.
3. The toxicological cases investigated comprised eleven cases of suspected human poisoning. The poison found in seven of these was opium. In a case of suspected intent to poison, a powder was found to contain sugar mixed with ten per cent. of arsenic.
WATERS.
4. The results of the analyses of samples taken each month from the Pokfu- lum and Tytam Reservoirs, from the Kowloon Service, and the Cheung Sha Wan supply, indicate that these supplies continue to maintain their excellent qualities.
Owing to the scarcity of the public supplies in Victoria during the first few months of the year, water had to be brought over from a stream at Tsin Wan. Owing to the possibility of this water becoming contaminated, daily examinations were made from March 17th to May 21st. After heavy rain the chlorine figure was increased, and a slight turbidity lasting for about 36 hours was caused, but, otherwise, the quality of the water remained unimpaired.
In an Appendix will be found particulars of the monthly analyses of the public supplies, and of other waters.
THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCES, 1873 AND 1892.
5. Of petroleum and petroleum fuel, 170 samples were examined. This is a large decrease as compared with the number examined in 1901. The quality of the oil imported was sufficiently high to pass the 73° F. limit.
THE FOOD AND DRUGS ORDINANCE.
6. Forty-six exhibits were examined. The following Table shows the results of the examination of 36 samples taken for the purpose of analysis by the Police and by the Sanitary Board:
Beer, Brandy, Milk, Bread,
-
Rum, Whisky,
Gin,
Description.
No. of Samples.
No found Genuine.
No. found Adulterated.
5
6
2
1
9
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10 10 10 2-04
6
0
0
0
9
7. A number of various kinds of food were examined for the public at the specially low fees laid down in the Ordinance.
8. The result of the systematic method of taking samples by the Police has been that the sale of adulterated liquor has ceased in the Colony.
BLOOD STAINS.
9. Twenty-nine articles consisting of clothing and weapons were examined.
BUILDING MATERIALS.
10. Samples of lime, mortar, cement, and red earth, have been sent for analysis. In connection with some enquiries into the cause of the collapse of several buildings it was necessary to examine several mortars. In order to observe the effect of the heavy rains of 1902 on good and bad mortar, samples were prepared containing various proportions of lime and red earth. It was found from experi- ments lasting over three months that mortars, when not containing more than eight volumes of red earth to one volume of lime, became harder when kept under water, than when exposed in the ordinary way. Mortars containing more than eight volumes of red earth to one volume of lime became weaker with increasing age, whether exposed in air or in water. Mortar made in the proportion of two volumes of red earth to one volume of lime, underwent no deterioration when kept under sen-water, but became perceptibly stronger than a portion of the same sample ex- posed to air only.
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