198 BACTERIOLOGICAL METHODS 



tions (i per cent.) of pilocarpine, atropine, cocaine, morphine 

 and of ergot, on standing for a time, show many millions of 

 bacteria per cc., often also molds, mold spores and some yeasts. 

 The variation in the resisting power of different bacteria to 

 different medicinal substances is noteworthy. The pus staphy- 

 lococci die at once in ether and in a saturated solution of quinine, 

 but will remain active in a 10 per cent, solution of cocaine, while a 

 2 per cent, solution of morphine kills them in 24 hr. The same 

 organisms will resist the action of pure glycerin for 6 to 8 days. 

 Ten per cent, iodoform, glycerin, camphorated oil (i-io), 

 solutions of apomorphine (0.2-20), quinine (i-io), antipyrin 

 (1-2), and cocaine (i-io) are usually quite free from bacteria. 

 The coal-tar derivatives are generally considered antiseptic in 

 property. Aquae are frequently found to contain bacteria in 

 enormous numbers and the syrups are generally more or less 

 contaminated with yeasts, bacteria and also with molds. It 

 is known that weak solutions of substances intended for hy- 

 podermic and intravenous use, when left exposed to the air for a 

 time, show numerous bacteria. Tinctures and fluidextracts 

 are always more or less contaminated, showing organisms in direct 

 proportion to age and the degree in unsanitary factory conditions. 

 Certain medicinal substances, as those intended for hypodermic 

 and intravenous use, are presumably free from living organisms. 

 Undoubtedly the extensive bacteriological examination of medi- 

 camenta would reveal some of the causes which are responsible 

 for irregularities in drug action, and would explain some of the 

 hitherto perplexing phenomena of poisoning resulting from the 

 administration of certain medicamenta in ordinary medicinal 

 doses. 



The bacteriological examination of medicamenta may be 

 outlined as follows: 



Direct microscopical examination. 



1. Bacteria. 



2. Molds. 



