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ADULTERATION OF SULPHATE OF QUININE. 
ON THE ADULTERATIONS OF SULPHATE OF QUININE, AND THE 
MEANS OF DETECTION. 
Mr. Zimmer, manufacturer of sulphate of quinine in Frankfort- 
on-the-Maine, has published the following circular and paper to his 
Correspondents abroad : — 
Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Feb. 6th, 1852. 
You are, doubtless, aware that various and partly spurious kinds 
of sulphate of quinine have for some time past found their way into 
the market. The substance now frequently mixed with quinine is 
quinidine. But little positive is yet known of the medicinal pro- 
perties of this alkaloid, and whatever may be the result of future 
experiments, its arbitrary substitution is, under any circumstances, 
unwarrantable, and renders a fair and honest competition almost 
impossible. 
The importance of the subject has induced me to address a few 
words to you, that I may submit a simple experiment by means of 
which the most usual adulterations of quinine may readily be de- 
tected. I have the honor to be, with much respect, &c, 
C. Zimmer. 
The high price of the genuine Bolivian Cinchona Calisaya, 
through the monopoly of its export, has given occasion to imports, 
from other districts, of Cinchonas, the quality of which widely differs 
from that of the Calisaya, inasmuch as they contain principally 
quinidine. The lower prices of these barks, regardless of their 
different constituents, have brought them quickly into use in many 
manufactories of quinine, whereby a large quantity of quinine con- 
taining quinidine, has got into the market^ causing an undue de- 
preciation in the price of quinine. 
The existence of this third chichona-alkaloid is now established 
without a doubt by ultimate analysis, by the peculiarity of its 
salts, and by important distinctive tests ; and there can be no 
further question, that quinidine must, equally with cinchonine, be 
distinguished from quinine. The external characters of sulphate 
of quinidine differ from those of sulphate of quinine ; it has a greater 
specific gravity and less flocculent crystallization. In dry warm 
air it parts with its water of crystallization, without deliquescing 
