Report on State Laboratory of Hygiene. BY R. B. FITZ-RANDOLPH, DIRECTOR. To the Board of Health of the State of New Jersey: GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the State laboratory of hygiene during the year ending October 31st, 1907: The examinations made in this laboratory fall in four classes: the examination, for diagnosis, of specimens sent by physicians from suspected cases of communicable diseases, both human and animal; chemical analyses of foods and drugs, the authority to perform such analyses being contained in chapter 86 of the laws of 1901, its amendments and supplements; the chemical and bacteriological examination of water from public and private supplies; and miscellaneous analyses; the latter consisting in the examination of samples submitted by the fish and game commission, the analyses of kerosene and other petroleum products, as provided for in the act entitled "An act to regulate the sale of petroleum and its products," approved March 31st, 1882; the analysis of linseed oil under the provisions of an act entitled "An act to prevent the adulteration and deception in the sale of linseed or flaxseed oil," approved May 18th, 1898; and the examination of other substances in connection with investigations relating to the public health. The greater portion of the work done in the laboratory has been along the same lines as that performed in previous years. The number of specimens examined in each department during 1907 is substantially greater than those of previous years, and it is to be expected that this increase will continue in the future. In the bacteriological department, the total number of specimens examined is 8,993, an increase over the number examined in 1906 of 11.9%. The number of samples of foods and drugs examined is 4,245, an increase of 9.6%, and the number of samples of water is 549, an increase of 42.9%. The equipment of the laboratory is now sufficient to enable routine examinations of specimens from suspected cases of diphtheria, pulmonary tuberculosis, typhoid fever, malaria and gonorrhoea to be made with accuracy and speed. Tests for anthrax and glanders are made with difficulty, and the results obtained are more or less uncertain because the laboratory is so situated that it is impossible to keep on hand a supply of animals for experimental purposes. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining suitable animals at short notice, the results of examinations requiring the use of such animals cannot have the same degree of certainty, nor can reports be made with the same promptness as if suitable animals were always available. Numerous additions have been made to the equipment of the food and drug laboratory during the year, and it is now provided with apparatus sufficient to enable the performance of almost all the analytical work required with accuracy and economy of time and materials. On account of the crowded condition of the laboratory, due to lack of room and insufficient facilities for storage, the depreciation of apparatus has been greater than would occur in properly equipped rooms. The new laboratory in the State House is now nearing completion, and it is believed that the facilities there provided for the care and storage of apparatus will be adequate. During the last two years, owing to the passage of chapter 313 of the laws of 1906, which imposes a 12 (177) heavier penalty for milk to which water or any other substance has been added, than for milk which is merely deficient in milk solids, it has been necessary to spend much additional time in analytical work on milk samples, resulting in a material restriction of the investigation of other food products. More complete investigations of the foods and drugs sold within the State is greatly to be desired, but cannot well be undertaken unless the laboratory staff is increased. During the year a comprehensive revision of the food and drug laws of the State, which brings them into substantial agreement with the Federal food and drug act, was passed, but does not take effect until October, 1908. When this act becomes effective much greater progress will be made in preventing the sale of adulterated foods and drugs, as its provisions include many matters not covered by the present law. An arrangement has been made with the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture whereby the director of the laboratory will be enabled to co-operate with the Federal authorities in the enforcement of the national food law. The number of prosecutions ordered during the year by the State board of health for violations of the food law is 354. The necessity of attendance at court on the part of the chemists attached to the laboratory during these prosecutions has been a very serious hindrance to the work of the food and drug department, and has resulted in a diminution of the amount of analytical work performed. Legislation which will prevent this interference with the work of the laboratory, by making a chemist's certificate prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it, is greatly desired, and, if it could be obtained, would result in a considerable increase in the number of specimens examined without additional cost. An assistant chemist, whose duties consist in the examination of water and the inspection of sources of water-supply, was appointed in June, 1907, and since that date a beginning has been made in the systematic examination of water from certain public supplies throughout the State. The results of these examinations will be found in the tables of water analyses given later in this report. BACTERIOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. The bacteriological laboratory is open for the reception of specimens from 7:45 A. M. until 5 P. M. every day except Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the laboratory closes at noon, and on Sundays and holidays it is open from 8:30 A. M. to 10 A. M. The last mail received at the laboratory arrives at 7 P. M. on weekdays and at 12 M. on Sundays. Specimens coming in by these mails will be examined on the following morning. The regular work of the bacteriological department consists of the routine examination for diagnosis of specimens from suspected cases of diphtheria, pulmonary tuberculosis, typhoid fever, malaria and gonorrhoea. Besides this regular work, the laboratory is prepared to undertake, when practicable, the investigation of other communicable diseases. For the regular work the laboratory provides mailing cases conforming to the requirements of United States Postal Order No. 176, which cases are distributed to repositories located throughout the State, and can be obtained from them or from the laboratory, on request. these repositories will be found on pages 184 to 192 of this report. Table A shows the number of specimens examined during the year, arranged by months. Table B is a summary of the examinations, arranged by towns. Table C shows the number of specimens examined each year since the laboratory has been in operation. Table D is a list of repositories where mailing cases for sending specimens from suspected cases of communicable diseases can be obtained. A list of |