486  American  Pharmaceutical  Association.  {Am6d^li^m>m' 
ondary  base  forming  a  nitrosamine  when  treated  with  nitrous  acid. 
It  also  contains  a  methyl  group  attached  to  a  nitrogen  atom.  The 
alkaloid  forms  a  sulphonic  acid  when  treated  with  strong  sulphuric 
acid  and  gives  several  methyl  derivatives  when  treated  with  methyl 
iodide.  Of  these  one  is  a  quaternary  base  not  precipitable  by  sodium 
carbonate  from  the  aqueous  solution  of  its  salts. 
An  Improved  Form  of  Retort  Stand  for  Druggists'  Use.  By  J.  P. 
Remington,  Jr. 
The  author  described  the  construction  of  a  retort  stand  consisting 
of  an  iron  base,  an  upright  of  wrought-iron  pipe  (y^  inch),  with  a 
set  of  ingeniously  constructed  clamps,  into  which  the  shafts  of  the 
rings  fit  and  can  be  securely  fastened  to  the  upright  at  any  time  and 
in  any  position. 
The  novel  feature  of  this  retort  stand  consists  in  the  construction 
of  the  clamp,  which  is  shaped  like  the  letter  U,  with  two  holes  in 
the  ends  through  which  the  shafts  of  the  rings  are  run  and  fastened 
securely  by  a  thumb-screw  in  the  curved  end  of  the  clamp. 
Drugs  Which  are  Specially  Liable  to  Substitution.  By  H.  H. 
Rusby.  Quite  a  number  of  vegetable  drugs  were  considered,  and  in 
each  case  samples  were  exhibited  showing  the  points  of  resemblance 
or  difference  between  the  spurious  and  genuine  drugs. 
In  discussing  this  subject  Professor  Hallberg  said  that  it  was  evi- 
dent that  crude  drugs  should  also  be  inspected,  and  that  we  had  not 
progressed  much  since  1852,  when  the  Association  was  organized 
for  the  purpose  of  having  imported  drugs  inspected.  Dr.  R.  W. 
Moore  said  that  there  is  an  excellent  law  on  this  subject,  which, 
however,  does  not  recognize  certain  standards.  He  said  that  in 
New  York  the  work  is  done  thoroughly,  but  he  could  not  speak  in 
regard  to  other  ports.  One  of  the  questions  which  arose  was 
whether  a  drug  deficient  in  constituents  might  not  be  used  to  work 
into  products,  but  not  allowed  to  go  to  the  consumer. 
The  Quality  of  Drugs  Coming  into  Neiv  York.  By  R.  W.  Moore. 
The  author  outlined  the  methods  used  in  most  of  the  custom 
houses,  and  cited  examples  to  show  where  the  quality  of  imported 
drugs  had  been  improved  as  a  result  of  the  rejection  of  those  below 
the  standard. 
This  paper  was  also  the  occasion  for  considerable  discussion,  in 
which  Messrs.  Hallberg,  Wilbert,  Moore,  Eccles  and  Beringer  took 
part.    Mr.  Wilbert  asked  if  the  work  of  inspection  was  not  being 
