16 TECHNICAL DRUG STUDIES. 



change taking place probably three to six months after its manufacture, but not a 

 sufficient increase to render the product harmful. 



We have also observed that peroxid of hydrogen when not properly stored in an 

 upright position decomposes, either with or without acetanilid, by contact with corks; 

 foreign matter being taken up by the preparation. 



We are pioneers in the manufacture of permanent peroxid and wish to make our 

 product conform as closely as possible to governmental requirements; at the same time 

 believe our present standard is so high as to permit of little change in formula. 



MALLINCKRODT CHEMICAL WORKS. 



Replying to yours of the 16th instant, I assume that the copy of analyses of our 

 hydrogen peroxid refers to samples taken from a lot supplied by us in accordance 

 with the requirements of your department that it contain no acetanilid or other 

 preservative. It is well known that hydrogen peroxid solution will not keep without 

 the addition of some preservative, and we are not surprised that the samples should 

 have lost so largely in the percentage of strength after being kept for a period of one 

 year. 



You are doubtless also aware that the acidity test of the United States Pharma- 

 copoeia is unreliable and shows larger amounts of acid when none is present, the 

 amount being dependent on the manner of manipulation. 



If you will examine our hydrogen peroxid as we supply it to the trade, with acetani- 

 lid as a preservative, I think you will find that if kept with ordinary precaution it will 

 lose very little, if any, strength during the period of a year. 



Comment by authors. The samples examined in Washington did 

 not contain any acetanilid, but the presence of caffein was estab- 

 lished. The samples, furthermore, were not taken from the lot 

 supplied, at the request of the department, free from acetanilid. 

 The sample examined in Nashville was purchased through a local 

 wholesaler. The point, therefore, raised relative to the absence of 

 acetanilid as a preserving agent is not substantiated. 



CHARLES MARCHAND. 



* * * I have sold my interests in the Drevet Manufacturing Co. the beginning of 

 January, 1909, and I have not manufactured "Marchand's Peroxide of Hydrogen," 

 "U. S. P. Peroxide of Hydrogen," "Hydrozone," or "Glycozone" since that time. 



Under these circumstances, I have nothing whatever to do with the goods manu- 

 factured and sold by the Drevet Manufacturing Co., although they are still labeled 

 "Prepared only by Charles Marchand." 



McKESSON & ROBBINS. 



* * * We do not see that there is any comment for us to make upon your results, 

 as the results speak for themselves. We might, however, add that we have recently 

 adopted a time-limit label similar to the inclosed sample, which appears on all pack- 

 ages of peroxid sent out by us. While your results show that our peroxid will keep 

 almost unchanged for a year, we place the time limit at six months, owing to the 

 uncertainty surrounding the keeping properties of this preparation under the varying 

 conditions met with in different parts of the country. 



In our opinion six months would be a reasonable time limit for all manufacturers 

 to adopt both for the protection of the public as well as for the reputation of the manu- 

 facturer and retailer. * * * 



Comment by authors. The time limit adopted by this firm is in 

 accordance with the findings of this investigation. 



