TINNED FRUITS AND MEAT.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 10, 1 July 1884, Page 7

TINNED FRUITS AND MEAT.

Sir,—ln your Science Notes last month an instance was given of poisoning in Glasgow from eating tinned mutton. The Lancet, from which the extract is taken, says, "It is not probable that in this case the tin had much to do with the result, " and proceeds : "The unfortunate circumstance presents to us rather an example of septic irritation due, it would seem, to putrefaction of the meat," The subject is an interesting one, and I have no doubt my own experience, not of tinned meat, but tinned fruit, will be acceptable, proving that the Lancet was in error as to the cause. A friend of mine stated she had purchased a case of English preserved fruit in ordinary one pound tins, but after eating a small quantity which had been made into a tart, both herself and members of her family had been seized with vomiting and purging. I examined one of the tins, and expressed my opinion that it was of excellent quality, and proposed that she should give me a tin to try. She did so, and myself and family partook of it, and enjoyed the fruit exceedingly. On giving the result, my friend stated 1 could have more if I wished. 1 then took home a tin of rhubarb, which looked very nice, but after partaking of this the whole of us were shortly afterwards seized with violent vomiting and purging which continued to an alarming extent, exhibiting undoubted evidence of poisoning. I am happy to say we all recovered, and when I related my experience to my friend, she said the preserved fruit her family had partaken of was also rhubarb. After this the whole of the rhubarb was destroyed, and the other fruit was found to be perfectly harmless. Judging my experience might be of value, I have troubled you with this communication, in the hopes that some of your readers may be able to throw some light on the subject. W. Wanganui, N. Z., June 4th, 1884. P. S.—Since the above was written, I see by Press telegrams that two cases of poisoning from eating tinned jam have occurred in Lyttelton, one of them eliding fatally.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREETHOUOIIT REVIEW.