716 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
Cayenne , with vermilion and red lead. 
Vinegar , with water, pyroligneous, hydrochloric, and sul- 
phuric acids. 
Teas are most extensively adulterated, and the substances 
employed to give them colour are oftentimes highly injurious. 
Tobacco , is mixed with cabbage-leaf, umber, sal ammoniac, 
nitrate of ammonia, potash, and soda ; and Snuff with lead. 
Cases are recorded of paralysis being produced by it when 
thus contaminated, as metals do not escape readily from the 
system. 
Who, after reading this, is not inclined to say with the 
late Mr. Accum, “ Death is indeed in the pot.” 
We now come to drugs : 
Scammony is often mixed with wheat-flour, chalk, &c. ; and 
of seventeen samples purchased, one only was genuine. 
Out of twenty-one samples of Ginger , two thirds were 
found to be adulterated. 
In twenty-three samples of Opium, no less than nineteen 
were adulterated ; chiefly with wheat-flour and poppy cap- 
sules; while the active principle of the opium was only 
present in the proportion of one to five. 
[We need not dwell upon the value of this agent to the 
practitioner of veterinary medicine, nor state how desirable it 
is that he should possess as genuine a commercial article as 
possible, since opium is never absolutely pure.] 
Mr. R. Warrington , of Apothecaries’ Hall, after having 
exposed the system of glazing teas, and the formation of what 
is designated in China, “lie,” or “false tea,” which contains, 
he said, fifty per cent, of inorganic earthy matters, proceeded 
to give evidence on drugs, observing that it is rarely the 
case that sophisticated articles came under his notice, as the 
Hall always buys in the market the best that can be procured ; 
and every article is there “ tested,” and all drugs ground 
by them. This is important, since it is very often the case 
that frauds are practised by the drug-grinders. 
As to the quality of Opium , he thought that this could not 
seriously affect prescriptions, as the average purity was well 
known. 
