8 TECHNICAL DRUG STUDIES. 



possible, to approximate the maximum per cent of variation below 

 the standard prescribed by the Pharmacopoeia. 



In order to secure fresh material, the samples were purchased 

 through certain wholesalers, and the results obtained by the first 

 analyses show that they were satisfactory in this respect. In order to 

 eliminate certain personal and climatic factors, it was considered 

 advisable to have examinations made by two observers in separate 

 localities, and Washington, D. C., and Nashville, Tenn., were selected. 

 One hundred and fifteen different samples, representing 36 brands, 

 were examined, the samples including all of the leading makes at 

 present available in the United States. As soon as received they were 

 placed in a cool, partially darkened room, simulating as nearly as 

 possible the conditions usually found in drug stores and other storage 

 places. The temperature in the Washington storeroom varied from 

 30 C. in the summer to C. in the winter. The samples in the Nash- 

 ville laboratory were kept under similar conditions, except that the 

 variation in temperature was less marked, ranging from 15 C. in 

 winter to 27 C. in summer. 



A list of the brands examined will be found in the table embodying 

 the analytical results (p. 12). Some of the packages bore a guaranty 

 serial number in accordance with section 9 of the food and drugs act 

 and regulation 9 for its enforcement. 



As before stated, hydrogen peroxid was once considered a remedy 

 for diphtheria, but it is now known to be virtually worthless for this 

 purpose, yet direct and indirect statements are made to the effect that 

 hydrogen peroxid is a preventative and cure for this disease. It is 

 also represented that the acetanilid is added because of its antiseptic 

 properties. This statement certainly needs confirmation. 



INVESTIGATION MADE IN WASHINGTON. 

 DETERMINATION OF HYDROGEN DIOXID. 



The work was begun in December, 1907, some of the initial exami- 

 nations having been made early in January of 1908. Unless other- 

 wise stated, the methods prescribed by the United States Pharma- 

 copoeia, eighth revision, for testing the quality and purity of hydrogen 

 dioxid solutions were employed. In view of the fact that the value 

 of a hydrogen dioxid solution is largely judged by the actual amount 

 of hydrogen dioxid present, the various products were analyzed with 

 particular reference to this point as rapidly as possible after receiving 

 same. The pharmacopceial method was used, excepting that the 

 measured samples were weighed and the percentage computed on 

 this basis. The results obtained will be found in column headed "U. 

 S. P. Method." The results clearly show that a large percentage of 

 the samples examined by this method contain about 3 per cent of 



