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active principle, that proportion of its medicinal property having 

 been extracted for the manufacture of morphine. Opium is found 

 to be adulterated with Spanish liquorice paste, combined with a 

 small quantity of some bitter extract, and when but moderately de- 

 teriorated in this way, the fraud is not easily detected at first view; 

 but it has been passed from Smyrna, by the way of some of the 

 European markets, so freely adulterated, that the fraud was readily 

 detected merely by the smell ! no analysis being necessary. The 

 so called opium of this description is often found infested with 

 living worms. Of course, this decaying mass is not sold to the re- 

 tailer or jobber in this condition, but is previously worked over, and 

 combined with a better quality of opium. 



To Dr. M. J. Baily, examiner of drugs, &c, at the New York 

 custom-house, the country, and especially the medical profession, are 

 deeply indebted, for the firm and faithful stand he has taken in ex- 

 posing these frauds. Enjoying the advantage of a thorough medical 

 education, together with a ready and able pen, he has been indus- 

 trious and successful, through the various journals of medicine and 

 pharmacy, in calling the attention of both physicians and importers 

 to these nefarious impositions. The activity and frankness of this 

 gentleman deserve the highest commendation ; we give an extract 

 of a letter received from him, dated April 29th, in which he says, 

 "I am sure such action (referring to a memorial of the National 

 Medical Convention) will have great weight with the members of 

 Congress generally, and cause them to act with more promptness 

 than they otherwise would, whilst at the same time, it will be ex- 

 ceedingly gratifying to me, as I have from the first, in aiding the 

 College of Pharmacy and my profession in their appeal, used the 

 knowledge acquired in my present position with a single desire to 

 advance the general good. Motives of self or pecuniary interest (had 

 I listened to the prayers of those interested) would have prompted 

 me to withhold from the public the facts I have willingly dissemi- 

 nated, in order that permanent benefit might result therefrom. 

 Many an argument have I held with those who professed to think it 

 no moral wrong, while it was more profitable to themselves to impose 

 such worthless and dangerous trash upon the community as we com- 

 plain of." 



" For many years a considerable proportion of the foreign chemi- 

 cal preparations, medicinal extracts, &c, have come to us more or 

 less adulterated; but the base fraud is no longer confined to that 

 class of medicines. Opium is now adulterated to a most fearful 



