the presence of preservatives in such articles are justifiable in view of the following authoritative statements made by The Chemist and Druggist in the article referred to:—­

“The British Revenue authorities have drawn the line a little tighter in the discharge of their responsibility respecting the soundness of lime-juice intended for exportation or for use on board ship.  The new rule henceforth is to grant a ‘pass’ certificate for unfortified lime-juice to last for fourteen days only, at the end of which time another certificate must be obtained.  As this new regulation affects lime-juice in its natural condition before rum or any other spirit is added to it, only lime-juice manufacturers or importers are concerned in the matter.... With such rapidly deteriorating liquid as lime or lemon juice the addition of the preservative spirit is a necessity, hence the sooner it is fortified the better. The Revenue authorities permit duty-free spirit to be used for this purpose, but in order that lime-juice manufacturers shall have this advantage of not paying duty on the spirit used the Revenue authorities insist on approval of the juice and its subsequent fortification in bond under supervision of the Crown....  In reference to the proportion of spirit used, previously the regulation was expressed in a permissive sense, but now the emphatic “must” is used.  In the last Government Laboratory report it was stated that 396 samples were examined, most of which were lime-juice, representing nearly 50,000 gallons.  Even the fortified article is re-tested if more than three months old in cask or two years old in bottle, and this re-testing resulted last year in a condemnation of several hundred gallons owing to deterioration during storage.  This juice is principally for use in the Mercantile Marine to combat scurvy.”

From which it would appear that the use of some kind of preservative is essential with such a rapidly deteriorating liquid as lime or lemon juice; and if not alcohol, there are innumerable chemical preservatives available.  We wish we could rely on receiving assurances from other “Lime Juice” importers and manufacturers similar to that we have received from Messrs Rowntree.

* * * * *

 To People with Strong Convictions:

 A holiday is the best of all opportunities for appreciating the
 opposite point of view to our own:  this is why everyone needs a day’s
 holiday once a week.

 HEALTH QUERIES.

 Under this heading our contributor, Dr Valentine Knaggs, deals
 briefly month by month, and according as space permits, with questions
 of general interest to health seekers and others.

 In all Queries relating to health difficulties it is essential that
 full details of the correspondent’s customary diet should be clearly
 given.

Correspondents are earnestly requested to write on one side only of the paper_, giving full name and address, not for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.  When an answer is required by post a stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed._—­[EDS.]

 FAULTY FOOD COMBINATIONS.