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consists of the dried leaves, while the commercial drug frequently 
consists almost entirely of the whole plant, tops or branches with 
stems unremoved, the latter constituting a large part of the total 
weight. As regards belladonna root, he points out that enormous 
quantities of scopola root have been used to replace belladonna root 
in the manufacture of plasters, and that such a procedure appears to be 
generally indorsed or at least condoned. He also calls attention to 
the substitution of poke root for belladonna. 
Speaking of the use of inferior drugs in the making of standardized 
preparations, he says: 
While, theoretically, an increased quantity of poor drug will make a good 
fluid extract, if the latter be standardized by assay, there are, however, practical 
objections to using an excessive quantity of drug, as the fluid will be highly 
charged* with extractive matter, and will not keep well. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 
1905, v. 19, p. 362. 
Rusby, H. H., reports that he has seen a large importation of bella- 
donna root of which at least a quarter consisted of some inert root, 
apparently wild althsea, or a relative of that plant. — Merck’s Rep., 
1905, v. 14, p. 212. 
True, Rodney H., reports that belladonna has been successfully 
grown for a number of years in the testing gardens at Washington. — 
Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass., 1905, v. 53, p. 274. 
Maben, Thomas, in discussing the question of standardization in 
the U. S. P., VIII, asserts that the standard for belladonna leaves is in 
accordance with what has long been recognized as a fair average. He 
questions the reliability of the term “ dried,” and suggests that this be 
more accurately defined. — -Pharm. J., Lond., 1905, v. 21, p. 140. 
Vanderkleed, Charles E., examined 13 samples of belladonna leaf, 
which assayed from 0.181 to 0.437 per cent of alkaloid. The samples 
assaying low were characterized by a large proportion of stem. Five 
samples of belladonna root were analyzed and found to vary from 
0.42 to 0.60 per cent of alkaloid. — Proc. Penna. Pharm. Ass., 1905, 
p. 55. 
Dohme, A. R. L., asserts that the A r ariation in the alkaloidal content 
of belladonna leaf has been small indeed for the seven years 1899- 
1905. The minimum content in 1899 and 1900 was 0.42 per cent, 
while the maximum, 0.46 per cent, was found in 1901, 1903, and 1904. 
Belladonna root varied from 0.68 per cent of alkaloids, found in 
1901, to 0.5 per cent in 1902. — Apothecary. Boston, 1905, v. 17, p. 942. 
Henderson, H. John, discusses the percentage of alkaloid in bella- 
donna root, and gives a tabulated statement of the percentage of ex- 
tractive and of total alkaloids found in lots of 800 or 900 pounds 
each. He also gives the results of analysis of 30 samples of foreign 
root. — Pharm. J., Lond., 1905, v. 21, p. 191. 
