INTRODUCTORY. 
105 
Those drugs that are difficult to dry, as the inulin- 
containing drugs, should be kept in containers having 
a number of apertures, to allow evaporation to take 
place. Unless provision of this kind is made, molding 
of the drug may develop. 
The preservation of drugs against the attacks of 
insects is, unfortunately, generally overlooked. Most 
drugs are subject to their depredations, and are usually 
attacked by the insects in the larval stage. These 
insects belong chiefly to the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera 
and Diptera. The Lepidoptera are the most destruc- 
tive, and include Tinea zea, or cornmeal moth, which, 
during its larval (the caterpillar or grub) stage, is 
known to attack aconite, capsicum, ergot, lappa, linseed, 
rhubarb, taraxacum and many other drugs. Among 
the Coleoptera may be mentioned various members of 
the Ptinedx , as Ptinus brunneus, Anobium paniceum 
and Lasioderma serricorne, which attack the spices 
chiefly, as capsicum, cinnamon and pimenta. Chief 
among the Diptera is Trypeta arnicivora, which is some- 
times found in arnica flowers. 
For the destruction of these insects and prevention 
of their attacks, a number of substances and methods 
have been employed, the simplest method of all being 
to expose the drug to a temperature of about 100° C. 
This method is, however, open to objection, as there is 
liability either to decomposition or loss of active prin- 
ciple. A weak solution of carbolic acid has also been 
suggested, but, of course, this is also objectionable. 
Camphor and tar-camphor have been employed, but it 
is doubtful if they should be used, unless in the case 
of animal drugs. In some instances, as with nutmeg 
and ginger, the drug is sprinkled in the drying-room, 
and when packed for market, with quicklime. Benzin 
and carbon disulphide have been proposed, but these 
