8 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



crude methods; he rejects the once popular use of starches, corn meal 

 flour and wheat flour because these substances are very readily de- 

 tected microscopically. If any of the starchy substances are employed, 

 rice starch is chosen, because the granules are small and are not readily 

 distinguished from the smaller granules of the drug itself. He is also 

 careful not to add starch to a powdered drug which is normally free 

 from starch. If a vegetable substance is added, tissues and organs 

 of plants closely related to the drug are chosen, because they usually 

 have similar histological characters and would, therefore, not be recog- 

 nized so readily. Sand is frequently added to such powdered drugs as 

 normally contain a little sand, as barks, leaves, roots and rhizomes. 



The use of the microscope in pharmacy has greatly developed the more 

 exact knowledge of the histology of plants. Minutiae of histological 

 structure are now recognized which escaped the notice of earlier 

 investigators. Our knowledge of cell contents and their distribution in 

 the different tissues and plant organs has become much more accurate. 

 The student of pharmacy should have a thorough knowledge of 

 vegetable physiology, gross morphology and histology in order that he 

 may recognize the normal histological characters of plants used in 

 medicine. This, coupled with a fairly good knowledge of microscopy, 

 micro-technique and the use of micro-chemical reagents will make it 

 possible for the practicing pharmacist to recognize the adulteration of 

 crude drugs and powdered drugs. 



The following are a few of the classic German and French works 

 treating of the microscopy of vegetable drugs. 



Berg,"Anatomischer Atlas," 1865. 



This book contains excellent full-page illustrations of the histology of the more 

 important vegetable drugs of the German Pharmacopoeia. Considering the date 

 of its production it is a remarkable work. 



Collin, " Guide pratique pour la determination des poudres officinales." 1893. 



An excellent little work illustrating the histological characteristics of the 

 powdered vegetable drugs of the French Pharmacopoeia. The drawings are 

 somewhat crude but quite accurate. 



Moeller," Anatomischer Atlas," 1892. 



A large royal octavo volume with full-page illustrations of the histological 

 characteristics of the more important powdered vegetable drugs of the German 

 Pharmacopoeia. 



Planchon et Collin, "Traite des drogues simples d'origine vegetales" (2 vols.), 

 1896. 



Two large octavo volumes treating of the histology and commerce of vegetable 

 drugs and related plants. The most complete work of its kind and profusely 

 illustrated. 



Tschirch und Oesterle, " Anatomischer Atlas der Pharmakognosie und Nahr- 

 ungsmittelkunde." 1893. 



This work treats of the complete histology of vegetable drugs and related 



