[370-12-09.] 



MAINE 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 



ORONO, MAINE. 



CHAS. D. WOODS, Director. 



0ttitial Sngpecttonsf. 



18 



Both the spirit and the letter of the Maine Inspection laws 

 demand freedom from adulteration and truthful labeling. 



RESULTS OF ANALYSES OF DRUGS. 



During September and October samples were purchased of 

 a few of the more common and easily prepared druggist 

 preparations. In all of the violations hearings were appointed 

 and the cases investigated. 



Ammonia water. It will be noted that in c|uite a large num- 

 ber of instances stronger amm.onia water, although not of full 

 strength, was given when ammonia water was called for. 



Lime water is very easily prepared but if it is not kept tightly 

 stoppered the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere unites with the 

 calcium hydroxide and reduces its strength. 



The solution of ferric chloride and tincture of ferric chloride 

 were found nearly standard strength. 



Spirit of camphor proved to be a stumbling block to several 

 druggists. Its being too strong was probably due to the evapo- 

 ration of the alcohol occasioned by loosely fitting ground glass 

 stoppers. 



Spirit of gaidthcria a)id spirit of peppermint were purchased 

 to see if the druggists were making a distinction between the 

 spirit used for medicinal purposes and the extract used for 

 food. The over-strength may have been due to the evapora- 

 tion of alcohol rather than to faulty preparation. 



