12 ADULTERATED DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. 



is quite possible that the whitish appearance is due to a dried residue 

 of cryptogamic plant growth. It is interesting to note that the results 

 obtained by the potassium ferricyanid process run nearly parallel with 

 the colorimetric data. 



The physical appearance of these conventionally adulterated articles 

 has secured such a firm footing in the public mind that it is almost 

 impossible to replace them by pure goods. To eradicate these deeply 

 inculcated erroneous ideas will require } r ears of patient effort by way 

 of both exposure and education. 



ACCIDENTAL ADULTERATIONS. 



Accidental adulterations are very widespread, and it is frequently 

 difficult to say where this form of adulteration ends and the fraudulent 

 begins. Crude drugs usually contain admixtures of twigs, stems, 

 dirt, foreign leaves, and a host of other bodies. The Pharmacopoeia 

 does not make any allowance for contaminations of this kind, but 

 dealers contend that such hypothetical requirements are purely aca- 

 demical and have no place in the commercial world. The argument is 

 also advanced that certain drugs are collected by ignorant, semi-civil- 

 ized people who can not be expected to eliminate impurities of this 

 character. Excuses of this nature do not in any way relieve dealers 

 and manufacturers from their responsibilities to the public. It is 

 plainly their duty to handle and use only goods of the proper quality. 

 To what extent some of these foreign articles modify the primary 

 action of a drug can not be conjectured. 



A certain few of the large drug houses of this country are elimi- 

 nating these impurities by garbling. When it is remembered that the 

 foreign material frequently amounts to 20 per cent or more it is quite 

 evident that the cost of garbled goods is materially increased and 

 that dealers in clean drugs are distinctly handicapped when brought 

 into competition with those who handle inferior grades. It would 

 probably be unjust to request a complete absence of foreign material, 

 but a maximum limit could readily be fixed. A concerted effort should 

 be made by all large manufacturers to establish a uniform high stand- 

 ard for all drugs used by them either in the making of finished medic- 

 inal remedies or for powdering. All purchases should be made on the 

 basis of an adopted standard, paying only for the actual amount of 

 good material in a consignment. 



By a recent act of Congress the vSecretary of Agriculture is author- 

 ized to investigate the quality of drugs imported into this country. 

 The drug laboratory has already taken steps toward the securing of 

 samples, which will be carefully investigated, in cooperation with the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry. 



It would probably be too exacting to require a root to be freed from 

 all extraneous matter, but an upper limit of ash should certainly be 



