The tricks of the trade in the adulterations of food and physic : with directions for their detection and counteraction.

Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The tricks of the trade in the adulterations of food and physic : with directions for their detection and counteraction. 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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    been procured from the same shop at which Mr. A. B. was in the habit of purchasing it, was subjected to analysis by Dr. Garrod, who readily detected large quantities of the metal in it.” * Another gentleman, Mr. Fosbroke, a surgeon, was also very nearly falling a victim to this shameful and poisonous adulteration. Paralysis had commenced, but the lead in the snuff was fortunately detected in time. This gentleman describes the treatment that led to his cure. ^ Iodide of potassium produced no verv marked benefit, until galvanism was conjointly tried with it under which plan I was in a few months fully restored to health.” J Another gentleman took the same snuff, and com- plained of inability to raise the left arm for some time previous to his death. Another case was referred about a year since to IJr Detheby ’ ^ waa that of a gentleman who repre- sented all the symptoms of lead poisoning. An analysis of the snuff (brown rappee) which he took iecl to the discovery of the source of the poison. During the last ten years the Commissioners of Excise, who are supposed to protect the public from such iniquities as these adulterations of snuff by lead have made 368 seizures, and instituted 203 prosecu- tions lor oilences connected with tobacco. “ VVe would undertake,” writes Dr. Hassall “to make as many seizures, or rather detections of tobacco adulterated in one or other of its forms, in the space o t free months as are recorded in the above return which extends over a period of ten years.” n fortunately tor the nation, such public benefac- tois as Du Hassall are not the sort of persons Her Majesty s Commissioners of the Excise either like to imitate, employ, or take advice from.