96 MAINS AGRICULTURAIv EXPERIMENT STATION. I912. 



Stopper. P'erhaps this precaution was unnecessary in this case 

 for the preparation had only .3 per cent ethyl nitrite. 



To the purchaser there is only one thing to be said : Never 

 purchase bulk drugs from any one except a druggist. If you 

 must buy medicines from the general store always buy goods 

 put out by a reliable pharmacist, in small bottles, and properly 

 labeled. 



Samples purcliased from druggists. There has been a very 

 great improvement in the equality of the spirit of nitrous ether 

 dispensed at the Maine drug stores. In 1908 before the direc- 

 tions for its preparation and storage were published even the 

 best druggists were frequently found at fault with the strength 

 of the spirit of nitrous ether dispensed. While there is still 

 room for improvement the situation is encouraging. Only four 

 of the samples collected were less than three-fourths the stand- 

 ard strength. With the exception of one sample none were seri- 

 ously overstrength, and most of these were due to the concen- 

 trated nitrous ether used being overstrong. As the U. S. Phar- 

 macopoeia does not fix the maximum strength the overstrong 

 samples were passed, but the dealers notified of the findings. 

 Where the samples were less than 85 per cent standard hearings 

 were appointed and in most instances it was found necessary to 

 begin prosecutions. All the cases except one were settled out 

 of court and that is still pending. 



tincturp: of iodine. 



Although it is not as important from the practical standpoint 

 as it is in the case of some other drugs that tincture of iodine 

 be of proper strength, it is' an exceedingly convenient and satis- 

 factory preparation from which to form an opinion of the care 

 exercised by the druggist in the preparation and storage of 

 medicines. It is a preparation that is in frequent demand and 

 hence is likely to be fairly freshly prepared. It is made up of 

 three different ingredients, and requires, in addition to the usual 

 care incident to weighing and rneasuring, attention that the 

 ingredients are completely dissolved. If left unstoppered the 

 alcohol evaporates, and it becomes too strong. If the solution 

 is imperfect it is too weak. If it is properly made and kept it 

 will remain for months without any change in its composition. 



