ADULTERATION  OF  MEDICINES. 
547 
12.  It  is  very  important  in  cases  of  poisoning  to  prepare  a 
freshly  precipitated  hydrated  oxide  of  iron.  This  should  be  done 
in  the  shortest  time  possible ;  therefore  the  necessary  ingredients 
have  to  be  kept  ready  separately  in  their  respective  proportions, 
that  is :  Solution  of  tersulphate  of  iron,  four  ounces ;  aqua 
ammonige  sufficient  quantity.  The  precipitation  is  made  accor- 
ding to  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia,  strained,  pressed  firmly  with 
the  hands,  and  then  mixed  with  sufficient  water  to  make  it 
measure  six  ounces.  The  sulphate  of  ammonia  partly  remain- 
ing in  the  precipitate,  does  not  interfere  with  the  effect  of  the 
antidote. 
All  these  preparations  should  be  labelled  in  a  proper  way,  so 
that  no  mistake  in  using  them  may  ever  occur.- The  Pharmacist, 
Sept.,  1868. 
ADULTERATION  OF  MEDICINES. 
By  F.  Mahla,  PH.D. 
"  There  is  no  species  of  fraud  so  universal  as  that  which, 
prompted  by  a  sordid  desire  after"  filthy  lucre,  "  cheats  man- 
kind out  of  life  and  health." 
Such  was  the  expression  of  a  writer  who,  more  than  a  score 
and  a  half  of  years  ago,  published  "  Notes  on  Falsifications  and 
Adulterations, "  hoping  thus  to  prevent  the  sale  of  impure  drugs 
and  medicaments. 
Any  one  examining  the  present  condition  of  the  drug  market 
will  readily  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  attempts  to  falsify 
and  adulterate  have  since  then  rather  increased  ;  for  it  has  be- 
come almost  as  difficult  to  procure  reliable  medicines  as  it  is  im- 
possible to  discover  the  philosopher's  stone.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, it  is  a  duty  to  expose  such  frauds,  in  order  to  enable 
those  who  are  interrested,  to  protect  themselves  against  them. 
With  this  view,  I  propose  to  publish  from  time  to  time  in  these 
columns,  such  adulterations  as  have  come  to  my  notice  in  the 
Chicago  drug  market.  I  am  convinced  the  honest  druggist,  who 
strives  to  offer  nothing  but  reliable  goods  to  the  public,  and  the 
physician  who  naturally  expects  certain  results  from  rationally 
prescribed  medicines,  will  assist  me  in  my  efforts. 
