REPORT ON IMPORTED ADULTERATED DRUGS. 211 
necessity of the passage of a law calculated effectually to 
put a stop to this reckless and murderous trifling with 
hum:\n life for the sake of filthy lucre. Every feeling of 
humanity, as well as regard to justice, towards those who 
are entrusted with the lives of the people, demand this at 
your hands. 
As elaborate as has been the statement of facts already 
presented, we are unwilling to dismiss a subject of such 
vast importance without presenting addilional informa- 
iion. Dr. Baily of whom we have spoken before, has had 
submitted to him by the committee a series of questions 
which we subjoin. His means of acquiring information, 
his careful observation, together with his general intelli- 
gence and integrity, commend to our confidence his 
answers to these inquiries. 
"Question 1st. How long have you held the position of 
examiner of drugs, medicines, chemical preparations, &c.y 
in the appraiser's department of customs at the port of New 
York ? 
Answer. Since the 3rd day of December, 1846. 
What is the amount of drugs, medicines, &c.^ &c. 
annually imported into New York ? 
Answer. The merchandise of this description entered at 
the New York custom house, during the year 1847, 
amounted to something near one and a half millions of 
dollars ; I cannot name the precise amount, as no separate 
record of that branch of trade is at present kept in the 
custom-house. 
What proportions do the importations of drugs, medicines, 
chemicals, &c., into New York, bear to those entered at the 
other ports in the United States? 
Answer. According to the records in the Treasury 
Department, full three-fourths of the entire amount of that 
class of merchandise is passed through the New York 
custom-house. 
Will you have the kindness to state, as near as your 
memory, or any memorandums you may have, serve you, 
