LEMON DRINK DANGER

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1933, Page 2

LEMON DRINK DANGER

POISONING FROM ENAMEL. TESTS MADE IN HOSPITAL. The danger of antimony poisoning arising from the ■ mixing of fresh lemon drinks in enamel dishes aroused some concern at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board on Tuesday. The director of the pathological department of the hospital, Dr. W. Gilmour, reported that he had carried out tests on every brand of enamel vessel used in the hospital. He discovered that lemon drink, consisting of the juice of one lemon in a pint of water, dissolved the antimony from the enamel in one brand. The tests were made at the. suggestion of the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, who enclosed a memorandum from the British Ministry of Health drawing the attention of hospitals generally to a case at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in which 70 employees in a factory had been poisoned after drinking lemonade which had been standing in enamel vessels. “I want to know whether it is not possible for Dr. Gilmour to state plainly whether or not these enamel dishes are wanted in the hospital,” said Mr. M. J. Savage, M-P. “The welfare of the patients demands it.” He moved that the pathologist be asked for a further report. Dr. E. B. Gunson asked v/hether the dishes which had been tested were new or damaged. “We should be very sure of our ground before we decide to dispense with enamel ware in the hospital,” he said. The chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, said the teste had been carried out on new dishes. He had seen samples from which the enamel had been peeled off. The only enamel ware that seemed to stand up to the tests was an article of Swedish manufacture. Dr. Gunson: I am not going to condemn enamel ware without a more exhaustive report than this. The chairman: I certainly would not have it in my house. Dr. Gunson: It seems to me the question is whether we are purchasing a high enough grade of English enamel. The medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, said the samples used for the test were new vessels, and the same solution was used in each. In one case the enamel came off both the inside and outside of the vessel. In another case the solution had eaten off the markings and the enamel on the inside was yellow and puffed. The Swedish enamel alone showed no effect, and fully stood the test. The officers of the board were now trying to find an English enamel that would meet the requirements. It was clear that any enamel which became chipped was potentially dangerous. Mr. Savage: Then we should throw it out straight away. Mrs. M. x.i. Dreaver suggested the use of earthenware instead of enamel ware. The chairman: Whatever is used, it must thoroughly stand up to hospital work.

It was decided to ask Dr. Gilmour to carry out further tests on best English enamel.

’ The New Zealand Government Department of Public Health and Hygiene has authorised a statement that analytical tests conducted by the department disclose the fact that “Judge” enamelled ware is entirely free from antimony or lead, and is approved by the department as being absolutely safe and suitable for the preparation or storage of food and drink, and for all general purposes. Tin's agrees in every respect with the British analytical repoi-t on “Judge” ware, and the New Zealand public can, with every confidence, purchase this brand. Therefore, when buying enamelled ware, look for the trade mark “Judge,” which is attached to every utensil. It has a world-wide reputation, and is manufactured by Messrs. Ernest Stevens Ltd., Cfadley Heath, England. Edward A. Batt and Co., Wellington, are the New Zealand agents.*