COMPOSITION UPON THE ORGANIC ALKALIES. 
221 
and of which the salts formed by the oxacids can be readily ob- 
tained anhydrous by dessication. These are all mineral bases. 
The second group comprise those bases which combine 
directly, without decomposition with the hydracids, and form 
hydrochlorates and not chlorides, and which form salts with 
the oxacids only when water is present. These salts always 
retain one atom of water, from which they cannot be separated 
without decomposition. This group contains all the bases of 
the organic kingdom, as yet known. 
Ann. de Chim. 
ART. XXXII. — THE FREQUENT ADULTERATION OF DRUGS; 
CALOMEL, EXTRACTS, BELLADONNA. By T. & H. Smith, 
of Edinburg. 
We are happy to observe that the attention of the pro- 
fession is beginning to be directed to the disgraceful adul- 
terations to which medicines are subjected. We hope it will 
have the effect of rousing our brethren from the state of le- 
thargy into which they have been so long plunged, and induce 
them to take the honorable position of zealous cultivators of 
science, in place of the more degrading one of mere shop- 
keepers and traders. The profession certainly owe a debt of 
gratitude to Dr. Thomson for the facts brought forward in his 
evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons; 
and to you, also, for laying them before the medical profes- 
sion. Very important facts may also be found regarding the 
adulterations which are carried on in the drug trade in a very 
able appendix, by Professor Christison, to a Report by the 
College of Physicians of Edinburg, on this subject. The 
disclosures which will, no doubt, be elicited on this subject, 
however painful and annoying to individuals, must do good; 
no evil can be remedied until it is fully known, and it will, 
