so ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



restrained. The X!oramissioner, while never entertaining any doubt 

 as to the validity of defendant's title to the aforesaid office, is also 

 deeply anxious for a judicial interpretation of the question, and it is 

 believed that the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth will render 

 a decree at an early day. It is admitted that the Commissioner, act- 

 ing upon the advice and opinions expressed in sworn special agents' 

 reports and analytical reports, authorized the bringing of prosecu- 

 tions and instructed these agents and the attorneys to institute 

 criminal proceedings under various statutes, against retail grocers, 

 wholesale grocers and manufacturers, and that such parties were 

 mulcted in fines and costs, but, it is further claimed that all such 

 acts were performed within the legal rights and original meaning of 

 the Acts under which he received his appointment, and that such 

 rights and duties were performed without fear or favor and for the 

 public good, and for the protection of health. 



NEV/ NATIONAL, FOOD AND DRUG LAW. 



The enactment of the National Food and Drug Act attracted wide- 

 spread attention. Hundreds of correspondents wrote to the Dairy 

 and Pood Commissioner of Pennsylvania for copies of the aforesaid 

 statute, while others submitted labels, etc., to ascertain 'their le- 

 gality. The manufacturers of certain medicines, etc., were espec- 

 ially active in their quest for information, but as the Pennsylvania 

 food authorities had no control or jurisdiction over such goods, the 

 letters were promptly referred to the National Department or to the 

 State Pharmaceutical Board for consideration and reply. 



Many reports published in recent years referred to the quality of 

 commercial drugs and drug products. While an investigation made 

 by the Dairy and Food Division proved the frequency of drug adul- 

 teration and substitution, it was also revealed that there was a mark- 

 ed variance in the quality of drugs sold or prescribed, even though 

 unadulterated. This condition is susceptible to many dangers to hu- 

 man life, and Miierever possible the strength of the active ingre- 

 dients should always be ascertained whenever possible or practica- 

 ble. The singular and varying physiological actions of chemicals 

 and drugs in the human economy can frequently be traced to these 

 variations in quality, hence the special importance of the subject. 

 As already stated, the Dairy and Food Division has no legal juris- 

 diction over these matters, but as in all other questions of common 

 interest, will afford such information and assistance as may be prac- 

 ticable. The importance of using only pure drugs is obvious. 



DECREASED SALES OF OLEOMARGARINE. 



The magnitude of the oleomargarine industry in the United States 

 is clearly shown in the following statistics published by the United 

 States Commissioner of Internal Kevenue: 



OLEOMARGARINE PRODUCTION 1888-1906. 



1888 *. 34,325,527 



1889 35,664,026 



1890 32,324,032 



1891 44,392,409 



