39 



Neither was it considered advisable to collect specimens for analysis with a view 

 to prosecution, as this work has been so well done by the previous committee that it was 

 decided that the best thing to do was to assist the board of pharmacy in pushing to 

 a conclusion the suits to be instituted on the evidence already in hand. The 

 expenses of the committee, amounting to $45, were caused by the necessity for com- 

 pensating the principal witnesses for the prosecution for the time lost owing to the 

 law's delay; vouchers for the same have been forwarded to the treasurer. It may 

 be asked what has been obtained in return for the money expended and the work 

 performed. We think that, in the first place, it has given notice to the druggists of 

 the State what they may expect if they violate the law, and has rendered them una- 

 ble to plead ignorance of the same. In the second place, it has caused an improve- 

 ment in the strength of the preparations sold, in at least some of the stores of the 

 Commonwealth. 



Ffom E. A. Wallis, 3124 Westmont street, Philadelphia, Pa.: 



It was my experience while chairman of the committee on adulterations and dete- 

 riorations for the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Association that, under existing law 

 in this State, prosecutions are useless. It is a dead letter here. 



From F. C. Clernson, Reading, Pa. : 



To my mind, so long as the consuming public demand cheapness in preference to 

 purity so long will adulterants be made and used. 



From William O. Farley, druggist, Lancaster, Pa.: 



The only foreign substance incorporated with butter, to my knowledge, is butter 

 color, which is used only in winter to give a golden tinge to Avhat would be other- 

 wise white butter. Butter colors are usually made of annetto or turmeric, held in 

 suspension in cotton-seed or olive oil. 



From J. A. Miller, secretary Pharmaceutical Association, Harris- 

 burg, Pa. : 



So far the only cases prosecuted have been for laudanum. 



From William H. McGarrah, president Pennsylvania Pharmaceuti- 

 cal Association, Scran ton, Pa.: 



Our association at each annual meeting appoints a committee to test or analyze 

 all suspected adulterations. The result for a number of years has demonstrated 

 that, with few exceptions, adulteration in drugs is not prevalent in this State. The 

 committee has found that the powdered drugs were more frequently adulterated 

 when competing with prices below the market value, the adulterant being an inert 

 matter, usually cocoa shell bark, powdered. 



From Prof. Leffman, 715 Walnut street, Philadelphia;, Pa. : 



Some years ago the Dairymen's Protective Association of Pennsylvania, to which 

 I have been acting as chemist, sent mo samples of butter in small cakes (one-fourth 

 pound), which was "stretched," that is, contained excess of water. It would lose 

 considerable weight and shrink much on being kept a few days. It was made in 

 the lower part of the city. I could get but little information about it, except that 

 the so-called "cottage cheese" was used. 



The Medical News, of January 28, 1893, contains the following table 

 of analyses of malt extracts, made by Henry Leffmann, M. D., of Phila- 

 delphia: 



