8 ADULTERATED DRUGS AND CHEMICALS. 



apothecary is responsible. Many a physician realizes the gravity of 

 the situation, and in self-defense and for the welfare of his patients 

 he prescribes certain brands of recognized purity or carries and pre- 

 scribes his own remedies, made for him by reputable firms, rather than 

 trust the local druggist with the filling of his prescriptions. 



The joint committee of the American Medical Association and the 

 American Pharmaceutical Association, appointed to consider the feas- 

 ibility of establishing a national bureau of medicines and foods, in its 

 report to the latter body recommended the adoption of the following 

 preamble and resolutions: 



Whereas the foods and medicines supplied in the United States do not so uniformly 

 agree with proper standards of purity, quality, and strength as they should; and 



Whereas a degree of distrust and want of confidence concerning the quality of 

 such foods and medicines prevails to a discouraging extent: Therefore it is 



Resolved, That a more perfectly organized system for remedying the above-men- 

 tioned conditions than that now existing should be devised and put into operation; 

 and 



Resolved, That the American Pharmaceutical Association and the American Medical 

 Association, acting in harmony with the United States Government authorities, con- 

 stitute the most competent and trustworthy means for obtaining the object named. 



Only two of the resolutions are quoted, but they serve to show in a 

 concise manner the present condition of affairs. 



During recent years Federal and State authorities have enacted laws 

 which if properly amplified and conscientiously and intelligently 

 enforced will in due time minimize the adulteration of medicinal agents 

 and improve the quality of chemicals. These statutes generally recog- 

 nize that there are numerous methods by which the quality of a com- 

 modity may be impaired. The object of this paper is to discuss some 

 of these methods, cite examples taken from actual practice, and call 

 the attention of the pharmaceutical and chemical world to the various 

 forms of adulteration, which may be subdivided as follows: (1) Con- 

 ventional, to suit the tastes and demands of the public; (2) accidental 

 or incidental, arising from environment, carelessness, or incompetence 

 on the part of the producer or manufacturer or his agents; (3) arbi- 

 trary, to comply with or take advantage of certain fixed, arbitrary 

 standards; and (4) intentional, for gainful purposes and competition. 



CONVENTIONAL ADULTERATIONS. 



Conventional adulterations, such as silvered cochineal, bleached 

 ginger, and the artificial coloring of many products, have been brought 

 about in various ways. The original object in many cases undoubtedly 

 was to trade on the credulity of the public, for it is a well-known fact 

 that an attractive physical appearance is a great factor in the sale of 

 goods, and color usually carries with it an idea of strength and quality. 

 Such a firm footing have these factors secured that in some cases the 

 adulterated article is selected rather than the pure. To illustrate, a 



