Food and its adulterations : comprising the reports of the Analytical Sanitary Commission of "The Lancet" for the years 1851 to 1854 inclusive, revised and extended: being records of the results of some thousands of original microscopical and chemical analyses of the solids and fluids consumed by all classes of the public ; and containing the names and addresses of the various merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen of whom the analysed articles were purchased / by Arthur Hill Hassall.

  • Hassall, Arthur Hill, 1817-1894.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Food and its adulterations : comprising the reports of the Analytical Sanitary Commission of "The Lancet" for the years 1851 to 1854 inclusive, revised and extended: being records of the results of some thousands of original microscopical and chemical analyses of the solids and fluids consumed by all classes of the public ; and containing the names and addresses of the various merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen of whom the analysed articles were purchased / by Arthur Hill Hassall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    Pouter and Stout - Cocculus Indicus and Sulphate of Iron. ^ , ^ Sncfb- - - - Bichromate of Potash, Chrome Yellow, Red Lead, Ferrugmous Earths, as Umber, Red and Yellow Ochre. Tea , - - - Indigo, Prussian Blue, Chinese Yellow, Black Lead, Catechu, Sulphate of Iron, Foreign Leaves, Sand, &c. Vinegar - - - Sulphuric Acid, Pyroligneous Acid. The above list includes not only many articles which are more or less injurious and deleterious, but likewise some of the deadliest and most virulent of known poisons, as the following : —the chromates of potash and lead, carbonate of lead, red oxide of lead, bisulphuret of mercury or vermilion, the three Brunswick greens, which are composed of Prussian blue and chrome yellow, the carbonate, acetate, and arsenite of copper. Some mi-ht be supposed to allege that the quantities used are too inconsiderable to be productive of injury to health ; this is assuredly not so, however, as is proved by actual observation and experience. Some ot the articles above named, as the several preparations of lead, copper, mercury, and arsenic, are what are called cumulative, —that is, they collect and accumulate in the system,-so that, no matter how small the quantity of them introduced at one time or in a single dose, the system, or par- ticular parts of it, are at length brought under their influence, and certain diseases are induced, characteristic of poisoning by lead, copper, mercury, or arsenic. , , ^ , ^, Of this fact very strikinp; evidence is afforded in the cases of lead- poisoning reported in the article on Snuff and its Adulterations, and which were occasioned by the use of snuff adulterated with lead. _ ^ But the quantity of these poisonous substances taken at one time is otten bv no means inconsiderable, but sufficient in some instances indeed to be at once productive of serious, and occasionally even fatal, effects Scareely a year passes by but several cases are recorded of poisoning by articles of coloured confectionery; the particulars of a few of such cases will be found in the Report on Poisonous coloured Sugar Confectionery. No doubt, in many eases, the effects produced by the daily introduct oii^ in minute quantities, of certain powerful or poisonous substances are slow and insidious, and their action not easily traced out; but yet, that the ult, mate effects of these on the system are very great, cannot for a moment TLlt.i. Thus, it is impossible to conceive but that the introduction of Picrotoxine into the stomach, through the beer consumed, or of copper rtroulh the pickles and bottled fruits used; or of cayenne through t e gin and rum drank, must be productive of injurious consequences. The effects of alcohol, when taken in large quantities or for a long pei.od, Iff n themselve; sufficiently injurious; but, by the addition of cayenne to this, it forms a combination the action of which no human stomach an Lg resist. These examples are cited merely as illustrations: their numbei mio-ht be greatly increased. . 5„t sulcient has now been advanced to show that the -ject of the Adulteration of the Solids and Fluids consumed as articles of food is one t'tilZy associated with the Public Health. Were we to extend our q'r,es to Drugs and Pharmaceutical Preparations, the immense im-