204  ADDRESS. 
The  picture  drawn  by  Hassell  of  the  adulterations  of  food  and 
medicines  practised  in  England,  as  revealed  to  him  by  the 
microscope,  is  as  interesting  as  it  is  deplorable,  and  forms  the 
subject  of  a  volume  now  accessible  to  the  public.  The  power  of 
Parliament  is  being  directed  to  this  subject,  as  it  relates  to 
Great  Britain,  and  something  may  be  done  to  diminish  the  evils 
of  adulteration,  which  are  now  so  extensively  practised  by  the 
tradesmen  and  manufacturers  of  that  industrious  people.  But 
it  may  be  doubted  whether  we,  as  a  nation,  are  much  behind  them, 
in  regard  to  «  home  adulterations."  The  power  of  Congress  is 
limited  to  the  Custom  House  when  it  presents  us  foreign  pro- 
ducts in  good  condition.  Once  beyond  the  Examiner,  they  are 
open  to  the  mercy  of  American  ingenuity ;  the  skill  which 
evinces  itself  in  the  production  of  genuine  French  brandies, 
wines  and  perfumes,  is  not  slow  to  enter  the  domain  of  medicines, 
and  by  the  aid  of  modern  alchemy,  transmute  the  bitterness  of 
willow  bark,  and  the  glossy  fibre  of  the  cotton  boll,  into  verita- 
ble quinine  of  Pelletier  and  Caventou. 
Legislation,  to  meet  this  evil  in  its  home  aspect,  must  originate 
and  be  carried  into  effect,  by  the  authorities  of  each  State  ; 
adulterating  medicines  must  be  made  a  felony,  punishable  by 
statute,  just  as  any  other  crime  against  the  welfare  of  the  public 
health.  But  amid  the  diversified  interests  striving  for  ascend- 
ancy at  our  legislative  centres,  such  wholesome  sanitary  measures 
have  little  chance  for  a  hearing  ;  for,  whilst  even  the  reported 
approach  of  a  pestilent  epidemic  will  send  forth  stringent 
mandates,  crippling  commerce  in  their  unsparing  application 
of  the  laws  of  Quarantine,  the  perennial,  ever  present  evils  that 
we  have  pictured,  flourish  and  extend,  unheeded  by  the  fathers 
of  the  State. 
My  friends  !  we  are  about  to  part.  Before  giving  the  sign 
let  me  tell  you  a  truth — a  truth  which  twenty-seven  years  of  pro- 
fessional experience  have  but  tended  to  confirm.  The  only 
permanent  cure  for  these  evils  is  the  union  of  knowledge,  skill 
and  integrity  in  the  dispenser  of  medicines. 
As  teachers,  we  have  endeavored  to  give  you  the  first.  The 
second  you  have  gained  in  the  several  establishments  of  your 
special  preceptors.  The  last  rests  with  yourselves.  It  is  the 
crowning  qualification,  which,  as  worn  or  discarded,  shall  render 
