94 



of times with hot water by decantation before transferring it to the filter, wash four or 

 five times on the filter with hot water. Dissolve the precipitate through filter with 

 weak, hot nitric acid (1 to 5), reprecipitate with ammonia, filter and wash in the 

 same 'careful manner. Dry, ignite, and weigh the precipitate as ferric and aluminic 



Transfer an aliquot part of the original solution A, corresponding to 0.2 to 0.5 gram 

 of ash, to an Erlenmeyer flask and evaporate with 10 cc of sulphuric acid on a hot water 

 or steam bath until all of the hydrochloric acid is expelled; dilute with distilled 

 water to original volume and reduce the iron to the ferrous state by adding iron-free 

 metallic zirfc (about 5 decigrams at each additiotf) until the solution is completely 

 decolorized and the iron is all reduced. Cool and estimate the iron by standard solu- 

 tion of potassium permanganate. Deduct the per cent of ferric oxid obtained from 

 the per cent of ferric and aluminic oxids to obtain the per cent of alumina. Use a 

 fiftieth-normal solution of potassium permanganate standardized by a solution of me- 

 tallic iron of known composition. 



It is also recommended that further work be done with the peroxid method for 

 the determination of total sulphur in plants and plant products, as suggested by the 

 committee at the last association meeting. Lack of time has prevented the referee 

 from taking up this important subject during the past year. 



REPORT ON MEDICINAL PLANTS AND DRUGS. 

 By L. F. KEBLER, Referee. 



Much activity has been shown during the past year by both federal and state offi- 

 cials charged with the enforcement of the various laws governing medicinal agents. 

 The drugs studied were both imported and domestic. Many interesting results have 

 been observed, a few of which will be noted in the referee's report. The feature 

 standing out most prominently is the lack of standards and recognized methods for 

 detecting the presence and determining the amounts of many active medicinal 

 agents, and from the nature of some of these agents no satisfactory methods will prob- 

 ably be provided in the near future. Even some of the methods available and the 

 standards set are found wanting. In this connection it is desirable to call atten- 

 tion to certain features of the Pharmacopoeia. A plant product is described, and 

 in some cases a standard relative to alkaloidal content is prescribed, but in many 

 instances no provisions are made for excluding or permitting the presence of any 

 foreign materials, such as stems, sticks, etc. It is a very common experience to meet 

 with importations of leaves containing large quantities of these impurities. The same 

 holds true with other commodities, such as cubeb berries, in which frequently a large 

 percentage of stems and twigs is found, together with unmatured or overripe berries, 

 and the question arises, To what extent is it permissible for these materials to be 

 present? It is contended by producers and importers that a standard precluding the 

 presence of these foreign agents would be purely theoretical, academic, if you please, 

 and has no standing in the business world. On the other hand, it is well known that 

 the medicinal value of a preparation is enhanced or depreciated in value in proportion 

 to the quantity of these foreign agents present. For example, the per cent of alkaloid 

 material present in belladonna root will be lowered in proportion, other things being 

 equal, to the amount of adulterant present. In other words, it is depreciated at least 

 in medicinal value proportionately to the foreign material present, and to what extent 

 these foreign bodies unfavorably influence the medicinal action of a drug in which 

 they are found is unknown. 



Another feature is the amount of sand or incidental earthy matter present. For 

 example, normal senna leaves do not contain to exceed 10 per cent of sand and other 

 inorganic material, but it is not uncommon to meet with sif tings, sweepings, etc., of 

 senna containing from 20 to 35 per cent of such impurities. There is no provision in 

 the Pharmacopoeia setting an ash limit to a product of this character, but it is reason- 

 able to expect that sand does not constitute a material part of a normal product used 



