IPECACUANHA, ITS STRUCTURE AND 

 ADULTERATIONS, 



DURING the course of the year many specimens are sent to 

 the Microscopical Laboratory for examination. The majority 

 of these specimens are the commercial spices, such as mustard, 

 cinnamon, pepper, etc., and the more common, or the more ex- 

 pensive drugs. Among the drugs sent for examination have been 



Roots of . IpecacuanJia, natural size. 



several specimens of Ipecacuanha. Although this drug is re- 

 ported by Bentley and Trimen and by Stille and Maisch as 

 comparatively free from adulterations frequently having other 

 roots substituted for it yet the specimens sent here have all 

 been adulterated more or less. Evidently powdered ipecac is 

 losing its reputation for purity and will soon have to be classed 



82 



