Taking Samples
Under the heading, "Dangerous Ice Cream," the Daily Chronicle of October 3 called attention to the statutory provisions regulating the manufacture and sale of ice creams on and after November 1, and said that, judged by the report of the medical officer of the city Public Health Department, "the urgent necessity for stringent supervision of this industry is apparent." Arrangements were made for taking samples of ice cream generally, and of twenty-three examined, "twelve, or about 52 per cent. were found to be absolutely poisonous." Even when the ingredients are not bad, the conditions of manufacture are such that contamination must result. Out of thirty-two places where ice creams are made and sold, sanitary defects were discovered in fifteen." The poisoning of two telegraph messenger boys from eating ice-cream, led to it being fed to guinea pigs and mice, which died as a result. The safest way is to avoid all such combinations, which, even at the best, are never beneficial to the body, and which almost always do positive injury.
October 16, 1902 EJW, PTUK 669.6