INFERIOR DRUGS AND METHODS OF DKCKI'TK >N. 21 



Some of the sweepings and sifting air utilized in extracting certain 

 active principles, like caffeine from tea ^verping^. and certainly 

 nothing could be said against an economy of this kind, but the practice 

 of using articles of this character in the manufacture of medicinal 

 preparations should certainly be discountenanced. Some manuta. 

 turers frankly admit that this practice obtains in their works, but 

 maintain that these goods are "just as good" as those for which a 

 high price is paid. 



Three bales of calisaya bark siftings, all containing foreign material, 

 on examination gave the following results: The per cent of total alka- 

 loids was 0.47, 3.6, and 4.7. The per cent of ether-soluble alkaloids 

 was not determined in the first bale recorded, and was 1.9 and 7, 

 respectively, in the last two. A good calisaya bark should not contain 

 less than 6 per cent of total alkaloids nor less than 3.5 per cent of 

 ether-soluble alkaloids. 



Every bale of senna siftings and every bag of tea sweepings exam- 

 ined contained a goodly proportion of extraneous matter. Broken 

 senna leaves are usually of good quality. 



A COMMON METHOD OF DECEPTION. 



A very^ significant editorial appeared in the British Food Journal, a 

 from which the following extract is taken : 



The substitution of an imitation of some kind for the article actually asked for or 

 desired br the purchaser is a particularly mean form of deception which is practiced 

 nowadays to an almost incredible extent. It is astonishing and mournful that so 

 many persons should be concerned in the initiation, fostering, and carrying on of no 

 shameful a system, and that others are found who in speech and print seem willing 

 to lend to it either their countenance or condonation. 



Still more reprehensible is the practice of submitting a sample of 

 prime qualit}^ and then, on receipt of an order, delivering goods of an 

 inferior grade. 



Some may think that the above method of deception does not obtain 

 to any extent, but only a superficial investigation will show that it 

 permeates many lines of business, and those who are responsible for 

 the quality of the medicinal remedies supplied the unfortunate si< k 

 should ever exercise eternal vigilance. The following examples, 

 which are typical of this practice, should serve to banish the remotest 

 doubt. A sample of belladonna leaves contained by acid titration 

 0.438 per cent of total alkaloids. On receipt of the consignment 

 delivered as per sample submitted, nine bales were tested with the fol- 

 lowing results: 0.12, 0.14, 0.11, 0.10, 0.13, 0.12, 0.13, 0.30, 0.11 per cent 

 of total alkaloids. A sample of potassium bromid complied with 

 U. S. P., 1890, requirements. The goods supplied were inferior in 



1903, vol. 5, p. 97. 



