No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 73 



been suggested that a board of examiners of well-known standing and practi- 

 cal knowledge should be appointed to pass upon the formulas that are used in 

 the manufacture of such medicines, and that in this manner much deception 

 and possible injury to health, could be avoided. 



The present magnitude of the problem was entirely unforseen at the time 

 the National Food and Drugs Act was formulated. The requests for informa- 

 tion received by the Pennsylvania Dairy and Food Bureau serve as a criterion 

 of the need for a closer supervision over the sale of such articles. The clamor 

 for such protection against nostrums is not a sensational one, but is founded 

 upon a desire to protect the public against imposition and actual injury. 



GLUTEN FLOUR SUBSTITUTES AND ADULTERATED DRUGS. 



A correspondent of the Dairy and Food Bureau made inquiry concerning a 

 certain brand of gluten flour which had been sold to him as a patient suffering 

 with diabetes. Its use was strongly recommended because it was claimed that 

 it was exceedingly low in starch contents, and therefore especially suited for 

 persons suffering from this disease. It is said that in at least one instance, a 

 sample of alleged "pure vegetable gluten" sold by a reputable druggist under 

 liis own name at 50 cents a pound, upon careful analysis, was found to con- 

 tain 60 per cent, of starch — the substance which of all others the diabetic 

 patient is paying a high price to avoid. The chemist declared that the spurious 

 sample was grossly misleading, inasmuch as it was nothing more nor less 

 than whole wheat flour sold at 50 cents a pound. 



The Dairy and Food Bureau received many other letters asking for informa- 

 tion relative to the purity of various articles that are usually found in drug 

 stores, and which are sold under special names and for a specific class of 

 sufferers, but on account of the limited appropriation available, it was not 

 always possible to purchase samples for analysis. Where no definite informa- 

 tion could be supplied by the Dairy and Food Bureau, the letters of inquiry 

 were referred to the Secretary of the State Pharmaceutical Board for his 

 consideration and reply. 



The adulteration of drugs is a subject that is closely allied with the study 

 of pure food in its various phases, as it is apparent that food and drugs are 

 closely allied, and that whether sold by the grocer or the druggist, there is 

 a connecting link that can be made prolific of much public good. It is well, 

 however, that drugs do not come under the jurisdiction of this Bureau, but 

 under separate and distinct control. 



FORM OF GUARANTY SUGGESTED. 



The subject of a proper form of guaranty required by retailers from jobbers 

 is an interesting one. A proposed form was promulgated by the Dairy and Food 

 Commissioner, but this was only tentative and intended as a guide to the 

 prudent and careful merchant. The Tustin Pure Food Law is specific as to 

 its requirements, but does not include any set or prescribed form of guaranty. 

 This is a matter that rests with the dealer who is to seek self-protection, in 

 case illegal goods should be foisted upon him. There is no dealer who may 

 not have use for such guarantee during his relations with the jobbers who 

 supply the retail trade with food products. 



In the administration of the pure food law of Pennsylvania, the Commis- 

 sioner is anxious to furnish all possible information to the trade, and where a 

 proper form of guaranty is presented, and a willingness shown to place the 

 responsibility where it properly belongs, it will serve as a valid defense; on the 

 other hand, such guaranty must be absolutely faultless in its form and mean- 

 ing, while the party in possession of illegal goods, proven such by chemical 

 analysis, must show when and from whom such merchandise was obtained 

 under such guaranty. It is, therefore, essential that every invoice should bear 

 a guaranty, signed by the firm shipping such goods, and the purchaser must 

 also be fully prepared to not only identify such goods, but prove date of 

 purchase, etc., and the fact that they are the article or articles upon which 

 prosecution was recommended. For the information of those concerned, the 

 following form of guaranty has been suggested: 



"We, the vendors of the articles mentioned in the foregoing invoice hereby 

 guarantee the same to be in full conformity with the Federal Pure Food and 

 Drugs Act of June 30, 1906, and also guarantee the same to be in full con- 

 formity with the Act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania known as the 

 Pure Food Act, approved June 1st, 1907, in that the said articles are not adul- 

 terated or misbranded within the meaning of the aforesaid acts." 



This can be written, or placed upon the invoice with a rubber stamp, or 

 printed, and when legally signed and dated, it will be considered as a satis- 

 factory form, so far as the Pennsylvania pure food authorities are concerned. 

 The National government may prescribe a different form, but the guaranty 

 required by the Washington authorities applies only to that department o* 

 the public service, and does not hold good in this Commonwealth. 



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