214 REPORT ON IMPORTED ADULTERATED DRUGS. 
impure ; lead^ bismuth and zinc are found mixed with it. 
It should never be used in the preparation of medicine 
without previous purification. 
Red oxyde of mercury or red precipitate is frequently 
mixed with red lead. 
Blue pill mass IS greatly and extensively adulterated. 
This article, when pure, should contain thirty- three and a 
third per cent, of mercury^ combined with conserve of 
roses^ &c. ; but a spurious article has been imported to a 
considerable extent within the past few years, which is 
found, on analysis, to contain less than one-fourth part 
of that quantity, basely mixed up with earthy substances, &c. 
This worthless article is purchased from the foreign manu- 
facturer at about one-half the price of the genuine. 
Sulphate of quinine, another very important medicine, 
is fraudulently adulterated with salicine^ chalk, svlphate 
of Z>ffr3//es,&c., rendering it comparatively worthless, if not 
dangerous as a medicine. This spurious artitle has been im- 
ported and sold in New York (neatly put up with the name, 
label, &c. of a popular manufacturer) by the agent of a foreign 
establishment, at the rate oi ninety cents an ounce, when 
the genuine foreign article could not be purchased of the 
manufacturer (or less than two dollars and twenty-five cents 
an ounce. 
Large quantities of iodine are sent to us in bulk, and in 
a very impure condition, by foreign manufacturers and 
speculators. It is almost worthless as a medicine; but, 
nevertheless, it is bought up by oxir speculators, who have 
it neatly put up in small bottles, &c., and sell it as a good 
article. The same with iodide or hydriodate of potass, 
which is frequently found adulterated with nit. potass^ 
(saltpetre) sal. acetocella, &c. Bromide oi potassium 
is labelled and sold as genuine hydriodate. 
Many of the foreign medicinal extracts are prepared and 
sold in reference to price, rather than strength and purity. 
