I04 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION- I9I4. 



Along with the publishing of the results of these analyses, no 

 comment seems necessary for individual samples, as the lists 

 in tabular form show those found that have not conformed to 

 the U. S. P. It does, howexer, seem necessary that a general 

 statement should be made relative to the deficiencies. For it is 

 my belief, after careful investigation, that scarcely any wilful or 

 intentional violations of the law have been found. The fact re- 

 mains, however, that a violation has been committed. And as 

 our duty has been interpreted, it is to remedy the conditions 

 found to exist and give impartial enforcement of the law which it 

 has been found necessary to place on our statute books. 



It seems of the utmost importance that any drug, whether 

 recognized by the U. S. P. or not, should possess the proper 

 therapeutic qualities and when administered should produce the 

 desired physiological efifect. 



The dispensing of drugs which are not in conformity to the 

 above requirements, seems to be unfair to the physician who pre- 

 scribes them ; to the public consuming them and the druggist who 

 with great care is dispensing a standard product. Whenever a 

 sample collected and analyzed has been found to be not con- 

 forming to the U. S. P. standard, a hearing has been arranged 

 and an explanation required why the deficiency has occurred. 



In general, the druggists have shown a willingness to have 

 samples taken and thus secure an index on the product they are 

 dispensing. It has been gratifying to note their attitude, with 

 few exceptions. On the whole they have been ready to accept 

 suggestions and have shown their intentions to conform closely 

 with the spirit and the letter of the law. The attempt has been 

 made in settlement of all such cases to deal impartially and fairly 

 and to efifect a satisfactory settlement ; remedy the conditions 

 found to exist ; to protect the public and also the dealer, without 

 the disagreeable feature of court proceedings and notoriety, 

 trusting that as much good can be accomplished in this way. 



A very few cases are still unsettled and although regretted, it 

 may be necessary to make court cases of some of them. 



