BUREAU or CHEMISTRY. 281 



istry" is in course of publication. Much attention was p:iven to 

 thelabelinfr of flavoring sirups and l)evera<res. particularly those of 

 the orange type. 



A series of articles on " P'ood flavors, source, composition, and 

 adulteration "' is being published in a number of trade journals. 

 A paper on " Kelative sweetness of invert sugar " was also pub- 

 lislied. Papers on '• Mineral waters of unusual composition," " Spe- 

 cific gravity of mineral waters by calculation." and " Studies on 

 flavors, beverages, and related products '' were presented at the an- 

 nual meeting of the American Chemical Society. Other papers pub- 

 lished during the year included "Purity of bottled spring water" 

 and "Mineral composition of seventy city water supplies." 



PHARMACOGNOSY INVESTIGATIONS. 



The pharmacognosy laboratory supervises the work involved in 

 the application of the food and drugs act to crude drugs and spices, 

 both imported and domestic. During the year special attention was 

 given to a campaign to eliminate excessive dirt from domestic crude 

 drugs. An investigation showed that the shipping of dirty dornestic 

 crude drugs is, a rather widespread practice and is due largely to 

 carelessness in gathering. Excessive dirt constitutes adulteration in 

 crude drugs shipped wuthin the jurisdiction of the act. In some 

 instances crude drugs were found to contain 20 per cent or more of 

 dirt, which obviously lessens the medicinal value of the drug. Pre- 

 liminary educational work was carried on and plans formulated to 

 take such regulatory action as may be necessary to correct this abuse. 



Examination was made of the usual number of imported drug 

 plants. Several shipments were found to be incorrectly labeled as to 

 the plant from which obtained. Special attention was given to mar- 

 joram, since new adulterants were found, especially cistus leaves, 

 which were sometimes present up to 25 per cent or more. 



The results of the researches of the pharmacognosy laboratory 

 were published in scientific and trade journals imder the following 

 titles: "Fake saifron"; "Domestic and imported veratrum (helle- 

 bore), Veratrum viride, etc.": "Alkaloids in rhizomes and roots of 

 ipecac " ; "A report on the zamia starch situation " : " The substitu- 

 tion of convallaria flowers for chamomile": "Interesting substi- 

 tutes for food and drug products " : " Edible and poisonous beans 

 of the lima type": " Robusta coffee"; "A saponin from Agave 

 lechuguilla Torrey " ; " Volume weight determinations of crude drugs 

 and spices " : " Microsublimation of plant products " ; " Identification 

 of crude drug substitutes " ; and "A new source of santonin." 



PHARMACOIX)GICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



The pharmacological laboratory studies the physiological effects 

 of certain heavy metals, toxic substances, dyes, and other materials 

 that are sometimes found in minute quantities in foods, to develop 

 information on which to base decisions controlling their use under the 

 food and drugs act. A paper was prepared on habituation to and the 

 toxicity of arsenic trioxide. Experiments were conducted to ascertain 

 whether animals become immune to arsenic. Chronic intoxication 



