430  Podophyllum  Ash  Standards.        j  Amjun"r i92iarm* 
The  results  of  our  studies  show  that  there  is  considerable  varia- 
tion in  the  proportionate  amount  of  roots  and  rhizomes,  that  these 
parts  are  sometimes  plump  and  sometimes  shriveled.  Plump  starchy 
roots  and  rhizomes  contain  a  proportionately  small  amount  of  cal- 
cium oxalate  and  yield  a  low  ash.  Shriveled  roots  and  rhizomes  con- 
tain less  starch,  proportionately  more  calcium  oxalate  and  yield  a 
high  normal  ash.  Some  commercial  lots  of  the  drug  consist  almost 
entirely  of  plump  or  bold  roots  and  rhizomes.  Others  represent  a 
mixture,  while  still  other  lots  consist  chiefly  of  shriveled  roots  and 
rhizomes. 
An  excess  of  inorganic  foreign  matter  has  no  doubt  been  re- 
sponsible for  much  of  the  difficulty  with  the  ash  standard.  The  fac- 
tors above  mentioned,  however,  play  an  important  part  not  only  in 
the  ash  yield,  but  also  in  the  resin  yield.  In  addition  many  samples 
contain  an  excess,  of  organic  foreign  matter.  There  is  real  need  for 
a  purity  rubric  to  provide  for  more  uniform  drug.  The  following  re- 
sults should  be  helpful  in  determining  the  standards  to  be  adopted. 
The  ash  tests  have  been  run  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Folkstad,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Prof.  C.  H.  Rogers. 
ASH  AND  PURITY  OF  SAMPLES  OF  PODOPHYLLUM. 
%  To-     %  HCl. 
Sample  No.  Description.  tal  Ash.  Insol.  Ash. 
No.  i.  Prepared  from  carefully  garbled  com- 
mercial drug,  bought  1920,  powd.  this 
Laby.  1920  
No.  2.  Commercial  sample  powdered,  bought 
prior  to  1916   
No.  3.  Commercial  sample  powdered,  bought 
about  1916   
No.  4.  Commercial  sample  coarse  powdered, 
from  stock  
No.  5.  Commercial  powder,  bought  191 1,  in 
carton  labeled  "No.  40  powder"  .... 
No.  6.  Commercial  powder,  bought  1921,  in 
carton,  labeled  "ash  4.40  per  cent.".  . 
2.51  0-34 
2.64  0.21 
3-35  0.30 
3.19  0.34 
4.08  1.07 
4.08  1. 10 
3-34  0.51 
3-  32 
4.60  1.32 
4-  55  1-23 
4.88  0.90 
4.86  0.86 
