REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 213 



became frequent. In most instances the treatment contained the very 

 drug to Avhich the person was addicted. Many of the purveyors of 

 these treatments were successfully prosecuted. Similar action was 

 taken in regard to catarrh and asthma remedies containing cocaine. 

 When the act went into effect there were 30 soft drinks containing 

 small amounts of cocaine, practically all of which were suj^pressed. 

 'I'here can be no doubt that tlie act was an important factor in aiding 

 the passage of the Harrison Anti-narcotic Law, which more effec- 

 tively controls habit-forming narcotics than is possible under the 

 Food and Drugs Act. Much has also been done to control the indis- 

 criminate use of so-called headache mixtures containing dangerous 

 depressing drugs and of dangerous cosmetics making therapeutic 

 claims. The act has vastly improved the manufacture of pharmaceu- 

 ticals such as extracts and tablets, and raised the quality of the sup- 

 ply of crude drugs since the importations of crude drugs are ex- 

 amined at the ports of entry. Finally, it may be stated that much 

 evidence obtained in connection with the enforcement of the Food 

 and Drugs Act was submitted to the Post Office Department and re- 

 sulted in the issuance of fraud orders, a more effective way of dealing 

 with many products than prosecution under the Food and Drugs Act. 

 Among these may be mentioned lost manhood restorers, consumption 

 cures, cancer cures, mechanical devices referred to in medical liter- 

 ature as '' gas-pipe therapy," weight producers and general medicine 

 schemes by which diagnoses are made and treatment administered 

 by mail. 



The methods of handling and labeling soft drinks and mineral 

 waters have been revolutionized. One sure index of this improve- 

 ment is the fact that the cleaning and bottling machinery of five years 

 ago is today out of date. The collection of a sample of mineral 

 water which is contaminated is now unusual, while 10 years ago most 

 of the samples collected were in an unsatisfactory condition. Re- 

 garding false labeling, it may be pointed out specifically that mis- 

 representations regarding so-called lithia waters and radioactive 

 waters, as well as the great majority of exaggerated therapeutic 

 claims, have been practically eliminated from the labels of these 

 products. Today the so-called lithia waters and radioactive waters 

 are not to be found on the market. 



Much has also been done to safeguard the milk supply imported 

 from Canada or shipped in interstate commerce. In the same manner, 

 with the cooperation of the United States Public Health Service, the 

 traffic in oysters polluted with sewage has been controlled. The 

 traffic in decomposed canned fish, so-called " do-overs," has prac- 

 tically ceased. The shipment of decomposed canned beans and of 

 decomposed shell eggs has been lessened. The manufacture of foods 

 from refuse, especially tomato products, has been decreased and the 

 sanitary conditions in food factories have correspondingly improved. 



Ten years ago much of the baking powder, of the gelatin, and some 

 of the confectionery was contaminated with small quantities of lead 

 or arsenic. This isnot the case to-day. The coloring of canned peas 

 with copper has been suppressed, as has the use of a number of 

 dangerous preservatives. 



Among the practices not dangerous to health that have been con- 

 trolled may be mentioned the addition of water to grain, to dried 

 fruit, to sirups, to fruit juices, to oysters, to canned tomatoes, and the 



