CHEMIST FINED

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 115, 8 February 1919, Page 8

CHEMIST FINED

■ ; TOR SELLING ADULTERATED DRUGS. • Charges of selling adulterated olive oil and tincture of iodine, which contained 40 per cent, of methylated spirits, were preferred against Charles Fletcher, chemist, Lambtou Quay, before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The informations were laid by the Public Health Department as a result, of au analysis of the purchases made by Inspector J. H. Cowdrey at Mr. Fletcher's shop. Mr. M.- Myers, who appeared for the defence, stated that the oil was not up to standard owing to aft error cn the. part of an assistant employed by Mr. Fletcher. The error occurred during the course of stocktaking, and .included in the stock of olive oil tin which had 'been opened and wasfehly half full. Near tho olive' 'oil was another tin containing a small quantity of salad oil, o.rnl the assistant when taking stock had pouired the contents of the salad oil tin into the tin containing tho olive, oil. In regard to fhe sale of tincture of iodine containing methylated spirits in place of spirits of wine, counsel said that the shle was made by defendant himself. Two strengths of tincture of iodine were slocked, and when tho inspector asked Mr. Fletcher for six ounces of the tincture it was found that (hero was not enough in stock to fulfil tho oi'der. -Mr. Fletcher thereforo diluted - quantity of the strong tincture with methylated spirits, having in mind that tincture of iodine was one of the liniments set out in the British Phnrmaeopoa which might be prepared with methylated spirits, whereas it was 'not" so. ■ For the prosFcution Sir. .T, Prendeville, v of the Crown Law Office, said that actually' tincture of iodine was very seldom Uised internally, but if so'used the methylated spirits would liavo anything but a beneficial effect.

His Worship said thnt it appeared to lrim that, the mixture of tbe two oils— olivo"awl cotton seed oil—would, at the price charged the inspector for the mixture; linns in 900 per cent, profit oil the cheaper oil. People wero inclined to pat(roniso a chemist for goods - which they could easily obtain from a grocer, for the reason tlml; they considered that the chemist's Roods carried an absolute guarantee! of ■purity! By patronising chemists people were willing-.to pay a. little extra, and they were entitled to what they paid for. Continuing,' His Worship saiil that lie did not think, it fain' that .1 unqualified assistant should he allowed to pour dregs from one bottle or tin to' another. Ho might easily enough mix something dangerous.. In regard to the tincture of iodine, His Worship said that ns in 1 the'.other charge, lie was prepared to acquit Mr. Fletcher of having deliberately mndo use of methylated spirits. It; wji's apparently done by mistake, but chemists should not make mistakes. Defendant would bo convicted slid fined £a on each charge, together with ■ costs amounting to J2 17s.