of differentiating belladonna and stramonium as an excuse for not 
including more of this kind of work in the pharmacopoeia . — Proc. 
Missouri Pharm. Ass.. 1906. p. 84. 
Hartwich and Bohny assert that in purchasing powdered drugs 
the pharmacist must satisfy himself, by a careful microscopic exam- 
ination of the powder, of the identity of the drug. and. so far as 
possible, determine by chemical means the activity or the value of 
the drug that is supplied him. — Apotli. Ztg.. Berl.. 1906, v. 21, p. 281. 
TVhelpley, H. M.. calls attention to the fact that often a 10-eent 
magnifying lens is of great value in recognizing drugs which have 
distinguishing characteristics not readily detected by the naked eye. 
and notes that the U. S. P. gives particular attention to character- 
istics of drugs which are brought out by means of a cheap, simple 
microscope. — Proc. Missouri Pharm. Ass.. 1906. pp. 104-106. 
TTulff. C.. calls attention to the fact that practically all of the 
pharmacopoeias now devote considerable attention to the description 
of histologic structures of crude drugs. He also points out that in 
the U. S. P. VIII in comparison with the really excellent descrip- 
tions of chemical substances, the descriptions of crude drugs appear 
to be deficient. — Ber. d. pharm. Gesellsch.. Berk. 1906. v. 16. p. 167. 
TTeigel. G.. points out that the Ph. Xdl. IV is particularly com- 
plete in its description of vegetable drugs. The various anatomic 
elements of these drugs are considered in detail and frequently a 
lengthy paragraph is devoted to the consideration of the microscopic 
examination of drug powders. — Pharm. Zentralh.. 1906. v. 47. p. 374. 
An unsigned critique of the Ph. Xdl. IV notes that the descrip- 
tion of drugs and the microscopy of the powders that are made from 
them is regarded as the best and most scientific part of the pharma- 
cop ria and original in many respects. — Client. & Drug.. Lond.. 1906, 
v. 68, p. 828. 
The Ph. Austr. VIII devotes considerable attention to the de- 
scription of powdered drugs. The histologic characteristics are fully 
defined and with the greater majority of the drugs a limit of ash 
content, a minimum of extract, and with resinous and gum containing 
drugs also the desired content of these constituents. 
Bedall. C.. suggests that the next Ph. Germ., in addition to scien- 
tific descriptions of powdered drugs, also include at least some well 
chosen illustrations of important characteristic structures. — Apoth. 
Ztg.. Berk. 1906. v. 21. p. 742. 
Busby. H. H.. asserts that: 
Of powdered drugs and spices — that is. spices handled as drugs and getting 
into the retail pharmacy, fully a third are intentionally adulterated or seri- 
ously degraded by systematic formula. — Proc. Am. Pharm. Ass.. 1906, v. 54, 
p. 332. 
