333 



to show the inefficiency of our present laws, and disclaim all inten- 

 tion of censure of the distinguished officer who presides in that 

 bureau. We have been unable to obtain the published contracts of 

 the army and navy of last year, and cannot speak advisedly of 

 prices then paid. We select a few articles from the document, giv- 

 ing contract with market price. 



Contract price. 



Peruvian bark, not powdered 



Peruvian bark, in powder 



Gum aloes, (socotorine) 



Gum assafoetida . 



Quicksilver 



Ext. sarsaparilla 



Cinnamon 



Elaterium 



Cantharides, powdered 



Gum kino 



Manna, flake 



Rhubarb, pulv. . 



$1 

 1 



5 lb. 

 25 lb. 

 25 lb. 

 10 lb. 

 75 lb. 

 00 lb. 



32 lb. 

 00 oz. 

 12 lb. 



33 lb. 

 55 lb. 

 75 lb. 



for good 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 



Market price. 



$0 70 lb. 



1 00 lb. 

 75 lb. 

 40 lb. 

 30 lb. 

 00 lb. 

 90 lb. 



$3 50 oz. 



2 25 lb. 

 90 lb. 



1 00 lb. 

 1 25 lb. 



1 

 3 



We have made these selections with the view of demonstrating the 

 necessity of legislation. 



In none of the various branches of trade are such opportunities of 

 fraud offered, as in that pertaining to the preparation of medical 

 agents. Every one, by practice or observation, may derive sufficient 

 information to detect imposition in the various articles of necessity 

 or taste, while but a very limited number are qualified to detect 

 frauds in medicine. Many know, or affect to know, the modus ope- 

 randi of medicines, whose general knowledge does not in reality 

 extend beyond the quantity prescribed and the general external 

 appearance of the various preparations. Every physician cannot, 

 (even in the extended compass embraced in the present requirements 

 of our medical schools,) by possibility, be an analytical chemist; and 

 in a majority of cases, the requisitions of an extended practice and 

 the exigencies of a critical case, would preclude the possibility of an 

 analytical examination. In a practice requiring his assiduous atten- 

 tion and closest scrutiny, it would be exacting too much to expect the 

 physician to be encumbered with a chemical laboratory. We deem 

 the protection afforded by the bill will obviate, to a great extent, the 

 necessity of this procedure. 



There are but few of us who have not stood beside the beds of sick 



