244 
BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
Analysis op Samples op Scammont. 
No. 
Pure Resin. 
Market Price. 
1 
18 p. C. 
8/ 
2 
14 
12/ 
3 
29 
15/ 
4 
36 
18/ 
5# 
100 
26/ 
6t 
100 
26/ 
7 
68 
31/ 
8 
80 
37/ 
9 
76 
48/ 
These’specimens were selected as ordinary commercial samples, such as are com¬ 
monly met with in the English market. The object in making the analysis was to 
ascertain the relation which the market prices usually bear to the real values of 
opium and scammony, as shown by the proportions of morphia, etc., and pure resin. 
The result shows that pharmaceutical preparations, made from these important 
drugs, are liable to serious variations of strength, unless the drugs employed are 
uniform in their important constituents, and that the market prices are no guide to 
the real value of these articles. 
This firm also exhibited specimens of some of their Iodine and Bromine 
preparations, viz. iodide of ammonium, iodide of potassium (both crude, 
fused, and crystallized), bromide of ammonium, and bromide of potassium. 
Tuck, John, Wilton^ Salisbury. 
Samples of adulteration placed at his service by the courtesy of the Hon. 
Board of Inland Bevenue. He has also to thank Mr. Kay, the Principal 
of the Laboratory at Somerset House, for his kindness in furnishing him 
with the information concerning them.- 
1. “ Original Indian Essence,” consisting of methylated spirit of a strength 
of 70T under proof, and treacle. 
2. “Indian Tincture,” consisting of methylated sweet nitre and treacle. 
3. “ The only original highly medicated and cordialized Indian Brandee,” 
cosisting of treacle and methylated spirit of a strength of 47'3 under 
proof. 
4. “Indian Brandee,” consisting of methylated spirit, hyponitrous ether, 
and treacle. 
These four samples were sold as medicines under the quoted names, but such 
compounds are in reality manufactured to be sold for beverages, and extensively 
used for this purpose in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The presence of methylated 
spirit in these compounds is clearly shown both by the iodo-hydrargyride of potas¬ 
sium and oxidation tests as detailed in a paper read at the Birmingham Meeting 
of the British Pharmaceutical Conference. 
5. “ Whiskee,” containing methylated spirit of a strength of 60'0 under 
proof. 
6. Essence of ginger, containing methylated spirit. 
These two samples were taken from a large quantity of spirits sold by public 
auction in Dublin, and when found to contain methylated spirit were seized by the 
Inland Revenue authorities. 
7 and 21. Glucose, consisting of starch, sugar, and gum, and extensively 
* Patent Scammony. 
t Made according to the British Pharmacopoeia. 
