139 



apt to destroy the effect of other substances in the mixture, and may easily bring 

 about changes in them that will result in poisoning the patient. 



Let us now turn to the distinctively microscopical class of examinations and observe 

 the facility "f identification. Starch grains taken from different drugs, under the 

 microscope are as conspicuously different as are larger objects. The same is true 

 when they are modified in appearance by moist heat. The presence of such grains 

 often -hows that the drug has been partly exhausted of its activity. Powdered 

 elecampane illustrates a very large class of drugs that do not contain any starch. If 

 we tiiul starch grains in any of these powders, we know that there must be an admix- 

 ture. The various forms of crystals of calcium oxalate are very distinctive, the par- 

 ticular form iM-iii.u' always the same in a given drug. Merely glancing at the powder 

 under the microscope would identify a drug by this means. Ground olive pits have 

 been used to the extent of hundreds of tons for adulterating such important drugs as 

 ijiecac, L'entiaii, belladonna, and aconite. While stone cells occur in many drugs, 

 similar to those of the olive pit, they are absent from most, and their characteristic 

 appearance in sufficient for ready detection. The very similar stone cells from cocoa 

 nut -hells have been largely used to adulterate chocolate, but when compared with 

 the jc.uder- "i chocolate under the microscope they could not fail of detection. 



Plant hairs arc often so characteristic as to insure instant recognition. The stellate 

 hai rs oft he chestnut leaf, one f the favorite articles used to adulterate medicinal leaves 

 and herbs, are very distinct i\e; the peculiar hairs of stramonium and spurious hen bane 

 have already l>een mentioned. Genuine and spurious matico are easily distinguished, 

 the hit ter having only about one-third the medicinal activity of the former. Its hairs 

 are large, strong, and thi< -It-walled, the cavity being little more than a faint line. 

 The hair of the genuine, on the other hand, is nearly all cavity, its wall so thin that 

 the hair frequently collapses. 



It i- earnestly hoped that this presentation of the subject may lead some here to 

 interest themselves, at least a little, in this matter. The attention of this association 

 ha- Keen chiefly directed to other things than drugs. Important as those subjects 

 are, your aid is equally needed in the drug field . There are only a few of us to struggle 

 with this great subject. Efforts to secure just action by the final authorities are met 

 by the most energetic and often very plausible misrepresentations by interested 

 parties, to the great detriment of the cause, and there is great need of your moral 

 sii||x>rt in promoting public interest in the rigid enforcement of the laws regarding 

 pure drugs. 



