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REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ANALYST TO THE GOVT. OF MADRAS

     It will be seen that in Coimbatore where substantial, but in my opinion by no
means excessive fines have been inflicted, almost all the municipal contribution
has been recovered, this, in spite of the fact that the number of samples taken
was less than what they are allowed to send. In the Vizagapatam where a full
number of samples has been taken approximately half the municipal contribution
has been recovered, although the average fine amounted to the petty sum of Rs. 5.
Where the whole or nearly the whole of their contribution has had to be borne by
a municipality they have no one to blame but themselves. It seems to me that
when the further extension of the Act, which is now contemplated is made, the
local bodies concerned should be told that their contribution should not be con-
sidered an unavoidable expense but should rather be regarded as a penalty to
which they will have to submit in the event of their not taking full advantage of
the facilities given them by Government and partly maintained out of their
contribution. With proper working of the Act large as well as small vendors
being sampled and proper production of cases before the Magistrates I have little
doubt that the fines realized would more than cover the municipal contributions.

     There have been two appeals to the High Court from convictions obtained
under the Prevention of Adulteration Act. The grounds of appeal in both cases
involved technical points connected with the regulations made under the Act.
In one case a ghee merchant (Madras City) who had been convicted of selling
ghee containing a large proportion of foreign fat was successful in his appeal.
In another case the conviction of a dealer (Kumbakonam) who sold "French
Coffee" which was found to contain chicory was upheld. New regulations
which it is hoped will be less liable to misconstruction have been drafted, and
will, it is anticipated, be officially adopted in the very near future.

SAMPLES FROM AREAS NOT WORKING THE ACT.

     Four samples, two of ghee and two of coffee powder were received from the
District Health Officer, Kistna. The samples of ghee were adulterated with 70
and 45 per cent of foreign fat. One sample of coffee was genuine and the other
was adulterated with 60 per cent chicory.

MISCELLANEOUS SAMPLES.

     One hundred and fifteen samples of drugs and prescribed medicines and 195
samples of foods were received from the various Government institutions.

     In the case of drugs I allow a tolerance of 10 per cent error in dispensing.
Mixtures in which the error in dispensing an essential ingredient exceeds this
amount are classed as adulterated. Only thirteen samples (11 per cent) were

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