32 
ADULTERATION  OF  FOOD  AND  DRUGS. 
was  an  ingredient,  the  witness  said  he  thought  there  could  be  no 
danger  of  this,  as  the  average  quality  was  well  known.  He 
further  stated  that  all  samples  of  drugs  were  examined  by  a  com- 
mittee. Were  obliged  to  grind  their  own  drugs,  in  consequence 
of  the  drug  grinders  adulterating  them  during  the  operation. 
Was  not  aware  of  the  composition  of  the  substance  called  "powder 
of  post."  The  College  of  Physician  have  power  to  examine  and 
inspect  all  chemists  and  druggists'  shops,  and  this  power  is  ex- 
ercised once  a  year  ;  but  the  examination  is  very  cursory,  and 
not  sufficiently  accurate  to  be  of  any  benefit.  There  is  an  agree- 
ment between  the  Admiralty  and  the  Apothecaries'  Society,  by 
which  they  may  examine  their  establishment  at  any  time,  but 
this  power  has  not  been  exercised.  The  Hall  supplies  the  whole 
of  the  navy,  and  half  the  army,  and  the  East  India  Campany. 
Believes  Messrs.  Savory  have  the  other  half. 
With  regard  to  Turkey  rhubarb,  knew  that  one  manufactory 
at  Banbury  produced  twenty  tons  per  annum.  It  is  very  inferior 
to  Turkey,  fetching  about  4d.  per  lb.,  while  Russia  rhubarb  is 
worth  lis.  6d.  Russian  rhubarb  comes  from  the  Tartar  districts, 
and  is  monopolized  by  the  Russian  Government.  It  is  brought 
to  St.  Petersburg  by  the  caravans,  and  thence  exported.  It  is 
a  great  delusion  to  believe  that  rhubarb  comes  from  Turkey. 
The  China  rhubarb,  commonly  called  the  Turkey,  is  worth  about 
7s.  6d.  per  lb.  At  the  present  time  the  price  is  very  high  in- 
deed. Many  chemists  profess  to  obtain  their  drugs  from  Apothe- 
caries' Hall,  but  it  is  not  the  fact.  The  Hall  does  not  supply 
more  than  seven  or  eight. 
Cod-liver  oil  is  another  drug  in  which  there  is  an  immense 
adulteration.  The  oil  to  be  obtained  at  the  Hall  is  from  New- 
foundland. In  the  case  of  the  oil  being  colored,  it  is  owing  to 
the  liver  of  the  fish  being  allowed  to  putrify.  This  case  of  adul- 
teration is  most  difficult  to  detect,  even  to  an  experienced  person. 
There  are  certain  tests  published,  but  the  presence  of  even  5  per 
cent,  only  of  the  pure  oil  will  yield  the  require  result. 
Several  specimens  of  mustard  have  passed  through  witness's 
hands,  all  greatly  adulterated,  containing  from  27  to  30  per  cent, 
of  inorganic  matter,  such  as  sulphate  of  lime.    The  genuine 
should  give  only  4i  to  6j  per  cent  Pharm.  Journ.  Aug.  1, 
1855. 
(To  be  continued.) 
