The principal adulteration of cider is one already referred to, namely, the use of unfit apples in its manufacture. The most common adulteration of cider at the present day, aside from that arising from unsatisfactory raw materials, is the preservation thereof by means of benzoate of soda. The use of benzoate of soda being permitted by the Department of Agriculture, without restriction of quantity or material preserved, has led to the very extensive use in the preservation of cider of this objectionable material. Although under the rulings of the Department no prosecutions can be brought against those who sell preserved cider, there may be a public opinion excited of such weight as to practically eliminate it from this class of beverages. The makers of grape juice are to be congratulated, in so far as I know, on the fact that they never have taken advantage of the permission to use benzoate of soda in the preservation of grape juice. So much, however, cannot be said of the makers of cider. It is so simple an operation, and before the European War was so cheap, as to have allurements for all who care more for the mercenary part of business than they do for the health of consumers.

Dr. Lucas, of New York, in a very interesting experiment secured a lot of pure cider and divided it into two parts. To one part he added the usual amount of benzoate of soda required to preserve the cider from fermenting. The other was used without manipulation. The cider was given to an equal number of healthy young men. All those who . received the portions containing benzoate of soda were rendered more or less ill; while the others who drank the pure cider were unaffected. There is no doubt in my mind of the fact that the addition of benzoate of soda to a substance like cider, or in fact to any substance, is highly deleterious and is forbidden by the Food and Drugs Act. It is only a wrongful interpretation of this Act which permits such abuses to continue. In so far as I know cider is no longer preserved by the fumes of burning sulphur. The ease with which it can be preserved with benzoate of soda does not warrant experiments with bodies more difficult to handle.