60 THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 



Prof. Rusby cites the assay of Belladonna in which the U. S. P. 

 directs to extract with only three portions of chloroform, which do 

 not remove all of the alkaloids. 



The commentor thinks that all who have had occasion to assay 

 Belladonna and have attempted to follow the \J. S. P. directions have 

 found the results to be unsatisfactory. Not only do the three portions 

 of chloroform not extract all of the alkaloidal principles but the exact 

 separation of the two liquids is hardly possible because of the intense 

 green color of the two liquids. 



Another point of criticism is that the Pharmacopoeia does not sub- 

 ject the acid extraction to a washing- with ether to remove the greater 

 portion of the interfering coloring matter, resulting in a final residue 

 or extract of a yellowish color, which color is imparted to the solution 

 to be titrated. The Pharmacopoeia then specifies to use hematoxylon 

 as an indicator and to titrate until the addition of one drop of volu- 

 metric solution produces a permanent violet to purple color. An 

 adherence to the prescribed methods will not give this result as the 

 yellowish color of the solution with the blue will give a greenish color, 

 until the solution has been over titrated. 



Regarding the deterioration of extracts such as belladonna, hyosc\- 

 amus, etc., the commentor has found it to be true chiefly of the solid 

 extracts and not of the dry, powdered preparations. In the case of 

 the solid extracts it is possible that the deterioration results from the 

 preparation having the alcohol eliminated and considerable water 

 retained, thereby bringing ab(^ut a decomposition of the active prin- 

 ciples. 



The Federal Pure Food and Drug Act of Jwne 30, 1906 and the 

 subsequent enactments of the various States, making the U. S. P. 

 methods and standards, the legal ones place the assayist in a peculiar 

 position. If he changes the Phannacopoeial process ever so little to 

 obtain better results, he is not complying with the legal requirements 

 and consequently if he is called upon to testify in court, his testimony 

 will probably not stand. On the other hand if he attempts to follow 

 the Pharmacopoeial methods in detail as he must to get L"^. S. P. 

 results, he will again be uncertain of the results of the assays. 



