68 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



that these common adulterating substances are more likely to be 

 found in spices than in vegetable drugs. 



The substances and combinations of substances which are occa- 

 sionally used for purposes of adulteration is legion. Rocks, shot, pieces 

 of lead and iron, pressed and baked clay, saw dust, colored starches, 

 colored and loaded plant tissues, spurious roots, barks, woods, leaves, 

 fruits and flowers have been used. The analyst must not be surprised 

 at anything, because the unexpected is constantly revealed. Special 

 forms or kinds of adulterations are constantly changing. Old familiar 

 methods disappear and new methods appear. The additions of some 

 coloring agents, as Prussian blue, indigo, is falling into disuse. Elm 

 bark is now rarely adulterated. Hydrastis, despite the high price, is 

 rarely adulterated. False crocus is not often found. Imitation 

 coffee beans and nutmegs are becoming extremely scarce. Practices 

 of adulteration vary and shift geographically with changes in the 

 thoroughness or laxness with which the pure food and drug laws are 

 enforced. 



4. Commonly Adulterated Powdered Vegetable Drugs. The follow- 

 ing powdered vegetable drugs and spices are very frequently 

 adulterated : 



Aconite Stems and foreign species. 



Asafoetida -Vegetable tissue, starch, mineral matter, etc. 



Belladonna L Foreign leaves. 



Belladonna R Phytolacca root. 



Benzoin Bark impurities. 



Cloves Clove stems. Exhausted. 



Colocynth Rind and seed. 



Goto Bark Spurious barks. 



Ergot Mold, mites, worthless. 



Galla Oak bark, nut shells, olive pits. 



Henbane Dirt, stems, sand. 



Ipecac Stems, foreign roots. 



Mace False mace, cereal. 



Marjoram Leaves of related plants, mallow leaves, etc. 



Mustard Cereal and curcuma. 



Pepper (black) Refuse, nut shells. 



Pepper (white) Cereal, bleached. 



Pilocarpus Spurious leaves. 



Pyrethrum (insect powder) Entire herb used. Related species 

 used. Stems used. 



Sage Foreign leaves and herbs. Dirt. 



Sarsaparilla Crowns, stems. 



