12 DRUG LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 



assembled May, 1848, respectfully represents: That it lias become notorious 

 among druggists, apothecaries, and physicians that of late important drugs and 

 medicines are specially adulterated in foreign countries for sale in this, and 

 pass daily through the custom-house to be disseminated by ignorant and unprin- 

 cipled dealers, to the great detriment of our citizens. 



" That, believing Congress possess the power to enact laws to prevent the 

 evils complained of, by subjecting all drugs and medicines to the inspection of 

 persons duly qualified, whose duty it shall be to ascertain their real value, 

 character, and strength, and to keep such records as will guard the honest dealer 

 against imposition,- your memorialists therefore ask your honorable body that a 

 law be enacted embracing the appointment of a proper inspector at each chief 

 port of entry, whose duty it shall be to examine all imported drugs and medi- 

 cines and to keep a record of such inspections, including the names of the 

 parties, which shall be open for consultation to druggists and apothecaries and 

 others concerned, or to adopt such other measures as in your wisdom you may 

 deem best adapted to prevent the evils complained of. And your petitioners 

 will ever pray. Signed: Alexander II. Stephens, of New York, president; 

 Alfred Stille, of Pennsylvania, and II. J. Bowditch, of Boston, secretaries." 



The State of Mississippi in March last, through the Hon. Jacob Thompson, 

 presented the following resolutions : 



" Whereas it has been represented to this legislature that of late important 

 drugs and medicines are specially adulterated in foreign countries for sale in 

 the United States and pass daily through the custom-houses, to be disseminated 

 by ignorant or unprincipled dealers, to the great detriment of the people: 

 Therefore be it 



"Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our representa- 

 tives be requested to introduce and advocate the passage of a law for the 

 appointment of a qualified inspector at each of the custom-houses of the United 

 States, whose duty it shall be to ascertain the real character of all drugs and 

 chemicals imported and destined for medical use, and to impose suitable 

 penalties for the importation of any such drugs and chemicals in an adulterated 

 state. 



" Be it further enacted, That the governor be, and he is hereby, required to 

 transmit a copy of these resolutions to each of our Senators and Representatives 

 in Congress. 



" JOHN J. MCRAE, 



"Kpeaker of tlic llouxe of Representatives. 

 " SEAHURY LIPSCOMB, 



"/'resident of the Senate. 

 "Approved February 10, 1848. 



" J. W. MATTHEWS." 



The College of Pharmacy of New York have for a number of years called 

 public attention to this subject. In a circular before us they state 



" That large quantities of sophisticated and misnamed chemical and phar- 

 maceutical preparations are daily imported, not only to the injury of the custom- 

 house revenue and of the honest importer, but of dangerous effect upon the 

 health and lives of all who require the aid of medicines, such as they purport to 

 be, throughout the country. 



"That, with some unprincipled foreign manufacturers, aided and abetted, by 

 dealers of a kindred stamp in this country, it is a regular systematic business 

 to make different qualities of various medical preparations for the American 

 market, the better kinds for the Atlantic cities, and others, very much inferior, 

 ' for the West,' meaning thereby our Western States. The latter are generally 

 altogether unlike what they purport to be, are quoted at about half price, and 

 are unfit for any use whatever," etc. 



The memorial of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy sets forth "that one 

 of the chief objects of the establishment of their institution was ' to direct 

 attention to the quality of drugs brought into the market,' with a view to cor- 

 rect the evils arising from the introduction and sale of spurious and sophisti- 

 cated articles; that they have, from time to time, by a proper education of 

 young men in their school of pharmacy, by exposing frauds, of various kinds 

 when discovered and by the publication of a journal, which assumes a high 

 tone in its exposition of these abuses, done much to correct the evils spoken of; 

 that it has now "become notorious amongst druggists that of late important 

 drugs and medicines are specially adulterated in foreign countries for sale in 

 this, and pass daily through the custom-house, to be disseminated by ignorant 

 or unprincipled dealers, to the great detriment of our citizens," etc, 



