722 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
week or fortnight at Garraway’s some scammony, which would cost when 
pure 40$. a lb., was sold for 3$. It had not a particle of the original 
substance; and, to show how difficult it was to get a pure article, he had 
examined four parcels of scammony as imported by himself and others, and 
none were pure. One contained only 70 per cent, of scammony, and that 
was considered a very good article, and another contained 90 per cent, of 
chalk. This adulteration was very injurious, as a prescription in which this 
was used, instead of being an aperient, would act as an astringent. 
Another substance was opium. This was always adulterated, and was 
sometimes sold for 4 $. per lb., when witness would have been glad to give 
20$. for a good article. No medicine ought to be used but what was pure. 
In America they examine all drugs imported, and those found to be 
adulterated are rejected. This inspection only applied to drugs imported 
into the country. The opium comes from Aleppo generally. None is 
allowed to come from India. He was convinced that the best way of stopping 
adulteration would be the appointment of an inspector, who should be a 
pharmaceutical chemist, and should have a liberal salary, so that his attention 
need not be directed to other matters. He should have power to enter any 
shop and demand an inspection of the drugs, and any found unfit for com- 
pounding should be confiscated. Since 1841 the chemists of this country 
had greatly improved in education, and they must know perfectly well when 
they sell inferior drugs. It would be an insult now to offer to any respect- 
able house an inferior article such as the sample of scammony produced. 
No doubt there was a large sale of adulterated and inferior drugs, and for 
the very good reason, that it gave a larger profit. This was an injury to 
the consumer. No doubt, some chemists and druggists did not scruple to 
sell impure drugs, but as a body they set their faces against anything of the 
kind. Had not the slightest doubt that all respectable houses would be 
delighted at the appointment of such an inspector. With regard to the 
adulteration of soda, he could see no reason for it, the price being so low. 
If rhubarb were sold at 8$. a lb. in the lump, but when powdered it could 
be had for 4$., the public must know there was an adulteration, or it 
could not be sold at so low a price. He had heard there was a grower at 
Banbury who sold annually twenty tons of English rhubarb, and witness 
believed it was so far true that the person in question did grow perhaps as 
much as half that amount. It was worth about 40$. per cwt., or 5 d. per 
pound, was of a very pretty colour, and produced a certain amount of irrita- 
tion, but no good effect whatever. Calomel was said to be adulterated with 
chalk. This could not be the case, in witnesses opinion, as the substance 
added for the purpose of adulteration always bore a close resemblance to the 
original, which would not be the case here.” 
Mr. George Phillips, chief officer of the chemical depart- 
ment of the Board of Inland Revenue, seemed to consider 
the adulterations had been much exaggerated by some of 
the witnesses. That many existed was indubitable ; still 
means of detection were at the disposal of chemists that were 
not formerly, especially the microscope. Mere chemical 
knowledge was not the only thing requisite for an examiner : 
he should combine scientific and practical knowledge. 
Mr. R. A. Wallington , chairman of the Leamington Local 
Board of Health, concurred with the opinion of Mr. Red- 
