A powder submitted from Berlin with statement that it was being used for removing wood alcohol from denatured alcohol, proved to represent bone-black, which substance has no such power in the slightest degree.

In connection with an investigation concerning the cause of death of a Groveton boy during 1924 investigation was made of the composition of some small toy balloons, of a kind similar to that with which the victim had been playing and some of the material of which was believed to have been swallowed. Tests indicated the presence of arsenical pigments in some of the colors involved, but the result of examination of the organs of the child was negative.

Examination of a sample of black Duco automobile finish at the request of the Commissioner of Labor disclosed no metallic pigments but indicated the vehicle to consist of acetone and amyl acetate. The prolonged and extensive inhalation of the vapors of these substances is certain to prove deleterious.

Samples representing two different lots of sesqui-sulphide of phosphorus, as used in a match manufactory, were investigated for the Labor Bureau. While one lot was said to give no trouble, the use by employees of the other was attended by headache, inflammed eyes and "great weakness." The investigation disclosed that the latter preparation, which was strongly impregnated with carbon-tetrachloride, was quite unstable, evolving poisonous hydrogen sulphide in substantial amount at the ordinary temperature, a phenomenon not true of the other. The sulphur content of the trouble-causing preparation was 45.50 per cent, that of the other being 43.98 per cent, with a theoretical of 43.63 per cent for the formula P4S3.

CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE MEDICAL REFEREE LAW, EXCLUSIVE OF LIQUORS

Merrimack County, July, 1924, by Concord Police Department. Viscera from horse, with material found on surface of ground in pasture. Results, negative.

Coos County, July, 1924. Fabric, for evidence of blood. Positive.

Grafton County, August, 1924. Meat. Negative.

Merrimack County, August, 1924. Viscera, for alcohol. Positive.

Coos County, September, 1924. Stomach. Negative. Merrimack County, October, 1924. Viscera from infant. A salicylate present. (Oil of wintergreen said to have been given by mistake for castor oil.)

Coos County, November, 1924. Viscera. Alcohol pres

ent.

Hillsborough County, March, 1925. Over-coat. Stains represented human blood.

Grafton County, March, 1925. Viscera. Alcohol present. Other poisons negative.

Rockingham County, May, 1925. Clothing and other articles for identification of blood, variety of fibres, etc. Human blood, wool fibres on razor blade.

Coos County, November, 1925. Garment. Negative. Belknap County, November, 1925. Stomach of child. Negative.

Rockingham County, December, 1925. Automobile wheel, for blood. Negative.

Hillsborough County, December, 1925. Viscera of animal. Potassium cyanide present.

Grafton County, January, 1926. Viscera. Alcohol pres

ent.

Grafton County, February, 1926. Viscera. Negative. Sullivan County, February, 1926. Arson. Reddish matter on charred materials was candle grease; garments saturated with kerosene.

Merrimack County, April, 1926. Extensive bird poisonings. Strychnine present in viscera.

Cheshire County, May, 1926. Abortion case. Identification of drugs.

Grafton County, June, 1926. Stomach washings. Negative.

Hillsborough County, June, 1926. Stomach washings and specimen of plant. Identified as water hemlock, responsible for death.

ANALYSIS OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS

During the period the number of samples of liquors as submitted to the department of enforcement officers under the Medical Referee law was somewhat less than half of that for the one preceding, 193 as against 406. The nature also has changed, the fermented liquors constituting a much larger proportion, with fewer of the spirituous type.

The reasons for the diminution in the number of samples and for the change in nature are to be found in the fact that analysis is now resorted to but comparatively seldom in connection with a prosecution, it having become generally recognized not only that defense based upon this feature is generally futile and that the prohibition officials are themselves able to give reasonably competent testimony as to alcoholic character, but that in the case of alcohol the results of a simple hydrometer test suffice,-barring a question of medication. However the latter test is inapplicable to a fermented liquor, hence the increased proportion of requests for chemical analysis for this type, the proportion of samples of the latter being 70 per cent, as against 32 per cent for the period preceding.

SHOWING NUMBER AND CHARACTER OF LIQUOR SAMPLES (JULY 1, 1918 to JULY 1, 1926)

All of the spirituous liquors were carefully examined for the presence of denaturing agents and for evidence of origin from some variety of denatured alcohol. In none of the samples was any trace of wood alcohol found, upon application of tests capable of detecting well under one per cent.

Seven of the 17 strong alcohols and one of the 27 dilute alcohols, however, afforded evidence of having been derived from rectification of a variety of special denatured alcohol. In one of these there was a trace of cinchona alkaloid while all of the other seven showed the presence of from one-half to one per cent of isopropyl alcohol, together with traces of the denaturant known as diethyl-phthalate, the amount of the latter found ranging from the merest trace to about 0.2 per cent.

These two compounds are employed for the denaturing of alcohol used for the preparation of perfumes, lotions, rubbing alcohol, barber's supplies, etc., the formulas calling for one per cent in the case of isopropyl alcohol and from one to 2.5 per cent in the case of diethyl-phthalate. As the latter, even in very small amount, serves to impart an intensely bitter and nauseating flavor, it is obvious that rectification from all but traces is imperative in order that the resulting

beverage shall be potable. In the small amounts here found, neither of these substances can be properly said to render the liquor poisonous. No evidence was found of the presence in any of these samples of pyridin, acetone or of various other denaturing agents.

Eight of the samples classed as "dilute alcohol" represented cases of "dumping" on entrance of the officers, these samples having been recovered from the floor, from sinks and sink traps and from toilets. Four samples of plain grain alcohol diluted to potable strength represented specimens found at a drug store and contained in bottles bearing the names of various drugs. In a number of instances claims set up by respondents that the liquor in question represented "rubbing alcohol," legitimately possessed, were disproven by the results of analysis.

In four instances, all representing samples submitted from Nashua, the alleged liquors represented alcohol diluted to potable strength in which were suspended large fragments of the parts of various plants, inclusive of cinnamon bark, sweet-flag, licorice, gentian root, ginger root, cassia fistula, etc. The analysis, however, showed none of these samples to contain any substantial amounts of extractive matter, bearing out the contention of the officers that these substances had been introduced for the purpose of deception. In one such case the claim that the article was brandy and was sold on a prescription, as suggested by a paster appearing upon the bottle, was disproved.

CONCERNING THE HAMPTON RIVER CLAM

INDUSTRY

Question concerning the extent of this industry and the sanitary quality of the clams produced was raised by the United States Public Health Service early in 1925, in connection with the latter's investigation of the general marine shell-fish industry and its efforts toward an interstate sanitary control. These activities on the part of the federal