OFFlCIAIv INSPECTIONS 4O. 95 



Discussion of Results. 



In 1909 it was found that at least one wholesale druggist and 

 manufacturing chemist within the State had adopted a repre- 

 hensible, although lawful practice, of furnishing to the drug- 

 gists of the State a below-standard spirit of nitre marked to 

 carry 2 1-2 per cent of ethyl nitrite instead of the minimum of 

 4 per cent wdiich is U. S. P. standard. They explained "we 

 send 62 per cent alcohol and 21-2 per cent ethyl nitrite because 

 this is the strength that our trade paid for before the pure food 

 law came into force." This very undesirable practice has, so 

 far as the observations of the inspectors go, entirely stopped. 



Preparations sold by others than druggists. In some of the 

 smaller towns in the State spirit of nitrous ether is sold by the 

 grocers. Where this is put up by reputable houses and in con- 

 formity with the directions these preparations were in fairly 

 good condition. For instance Rakers (plainly marked with date 

 and caution not to use after three months) carried 3.86 per 

 cent ethyl nitrite or 96.5 per cent of the standard. Foss's 

 preparation, dated Aug. 8, 191 1, carried in January 3.57 per 

 cent or almost 90 per cent of the standard. But Foss prepara- 

 tion dated October 5, 19 10, was being sold by a retailer in 

 January 191 1 although it was plainly labeled with the date of 

 its preparation and with the caution : "The dealer should keep 

 his stock as fresh as possible." This carried 2.88 per cent ethyl 

 nitrite and was y2 per cent standard. A preparation put up with- 

 out date by a Portland wholesale house carried 2.89 per cent 

 nitrous ether. 



It would seem safe for the dealer and for the purchaser to 

 use these bottled sweet spirits of nitre, provided they bear the 

 date of preparation and are not sold or used more than three 

 months after they are prepared. 



In the case of goods sold in bulk and dispensed by people 

 ignorant of drugs the .'situation is very different and would be 

 laughable if it were not so serious. A Hampden dealer, who 

 bought the preparation with the stock when he purchased the 

 business, sold the inspector 4 ounces for 25 cents that did not 

 carry even a trace of the original spirit of nitrous ether. A 

 Stockton dealer sold the deputy 4 ounces for 20- cents and actu- 

 ally put it into a sofla water bottle with a loose stopper! The 

 inspector transferred it to a proper sized bottle with a tight 



