UNITED STATES CUSTOMS.

NEW YORK, September 25, 1852.

MR. GEORGE D. COGGESHALL.

Dear Sir,—Your kind and courteous favor of the 16th instant, on behalf of the Publishing Committee of the New York Journal of Pharmacy, asking “information respecting the character of imported drugs and medicines coming under my supervision; and also, information in reference to the general working and effect of the drug law of 1848,” has been before me for several days, waiting such response, in the shape of a full and lengthy communication in detail, as it was my wish to furnish; but pressing and increasing official duties compel me, from want of time (not material), to forego that pleasure and confine myself to a brief statement of facts and data, which, together with some general observations, I am in hopes may, nevertheless, be found interesting to your readers.

As an evidence of the beneficial effects of the wise sanitary measure, in the success of which, we have all taken so much interest, I am pleased to say that the character and quality of the more important articles of drugs, medicines and chemical preparations, connected with medicine at present presented for entry from abroad, is greatly improved, and of a far higher standard of strength and purity than formerly; not­with­stand­ing, as will be seen, I still have occasion to apply the “veto power”—a labor of love, which must, of necessity, be {290} performed in order to arrest the unhallowed strides of deception and fraud which will ever be practised, to a greater or less extent, as long as we have those among us, engaged in any department of the drug trade, who, to put money in their purse, would endanger, if not sacrifice the lives of their fellow men. The law in question has now been in operation at this port something more than four years; and, with the exception of some eleven months, the duties and re­spon­si­bi­li­ties of its ad­min­i­stra­tion have devolved upon me. On the 21st day of April, 1849, I made a report to the New York Academy of Medicine, on the practical operation of this law, and stated therein the more important articles of drugs and medicines, with the quantities annexed, rejected by me up to that date; but as that report is doubtless familiar to most of your readers, I have not deemed it necessary to repeat them here. The following are the more important articles, with the quantities annexed, that I have since rejected and condemned as not of the requisite strength and purity to be safely and properly used for medicinal purposes, viz:—

Senna,31,838lbs.
Jalap root,37,121lbs.
Rhubarb root,5,782lbs.
Sarsaparilla,65,374lbs.
Mezereon bark,1,353lbs.
Opium,3,164lbs.
Kino,230lbs.
Scammony,1,483lbs.
Aloes,12,375lbs.
Squills,1,626lbs.
Spurious Peruvian bark,304,135lbs.
Spanish Saffron,360lbs.
Ergot,475lbs.
Chamomile flowers,1,896lbs.
Assafœtida,3,700lbs.
Worm seed,230lbs.
Colchicum seed,2,246lbs.
Valerian root,650lbs.
Guaiacum,9,300lbs.
Cream of Tartar,7,673lbs.
Magnesia (carb.),2,867lbs.
Magnesia (calc’d.),1,560lbs.
Althea root,1,117lbs.
Liquorice root,9,430lbs.
Bistort root,140lbs.
Gentian root,7,572lbs.
Gentian root, in powder,430lbs.
Lavender flowers,3,042lbs.
Poppy flowers,190lbs.
Hellebore root (white),460lbs.
Pareira Brava root,730lbs.
Cantharides,1,276lbs.
Creosote,140ozs.
Bromine,430ozs.
Sulphate of Quinine,3,200ozs.
Iodine,6,864ozs.
Hydriodate of Potass,3,720ozs.

Making altogether some five hundred and twenty thousand pounds, to say nothing of various articles in small quantities rejected from time to time, which I have not considered of sufficient importance to note down. This, together with the ninety thousand pounds previously rejected, as stated in an early report above alluded to, makes some six hundred and ten thousand pounds of various articles of drugs and medicines condemned by me as unfit for medicinal purposes since the law took effect at this port. What articles and in what quantities, were rejected during the eleven months that I was absent from the office, I am not advised, neither am I at this time able to say what has been done under the requirements of this act at the other ports of entry. I hope, however, that the special examiners can give a good account of their stewardship, and that they will not hesitate to do so, whenever the information is desirable as a means of pushing on the column of medical and phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal reform. {292}

It will be seen by the above statement, that by far the largest quantity of any one article rejected, is that of spurious Peruvian bark, or as it is generally known in commerce, Carthagena and Maracaibo bark; and that too, as a general thing of the poorest and most worthless quality. The best of this bark affords on analysis only an exceedingly small percentage of quinine, not unfrequently, but a mere trace; while, at the same time, it yields as high as two, and occasionally with choice samples, two and a half per cent of a peculiar alkaloid which has been named quinidine, in contra-distinction to quinine, cinchonine, and aricine, (the three alkaloids heretofore obtained from the different varieties of the cinchona tribe of plants,) from which it differs essentially in several respects.

What is quinidine, medicinally understood? How does sulphate of quinidine compare with sulphate of quinine (from which it is very difficult to distinguish it by the naked eye,) medicinally, as a remedial agent in cases where the use of the latter salt is particularly indicated? These are important questions, and the subject is one very properly at the present time calling for prompt, patient, and persevering investigation by all those whose mission it is to prepare, dispense or prescribe the most efficient means wherewith to combat disease; the more so for the reason, that I have detected in most of the sulphate of quinine lately imported from abroad, more or less of this non-officinal, and (in my opinion) as compared with quinine, non-efficient substance yclept quinidine; a fact readily accounted for, when it is known that for the last year or two immense quantities of the bark in question, good, bad, and indifferent, have been exported from New Grenada, (as well as much from this port that had been rejected) and purchased by foreign manufacturing chemists, for the purpose, as I have reason to believe, of mixing it with the true bark in the manufacture of sulphate of quinine; hence the hybrid salt now too frequently presented to entry; a practice that, if not speedily abandoned, will ruin as far as this country is concerned, the formerly well deserved reputation of more than one of the {293} foreign manufacturers of sulphate of quinine I could name. The argument maintained by some of them that the article is used in their hospitals and found equal to pure quinine, will not answer on this side of the water; it smacks too much of the almighty dollar, even as I must believe (until further advised) at the expense of truth.

This comparatively inert substance, quinidine, is readily detected by using the method adopted by Zimmer, and published in the March number of the Phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal Journal (London), and, as I was happy to see, transfered to the columns of the May number of your valuable Journal. It is a test so perfect, so scientifically practical, and so simple withal, that any one possessing only a moderate share of chemical and analytical acumen can successfully apply it, even though perchance he may not be able to boast of wearing the mantle of the departed Berzelins, or of having been a favorite pupil of Liebig.

The law went into operation at this port on the 12th day of July, 1848, and it is worthy of remark, as a cause of gratulation, on the part of the early friends of the measure, that the importation of inferior and worthless qualities of many important drugs and medicines, has since gradually and greatly decreased in quantity. For instance, I rejected during the first seven months of the working of the law 19,989 pounds of Rhubarb root; but I have since rejected only 5,782 pounds, being but a fraction over one third of the quantity. For the past eighteen months, I have not had occasion to reject a single pound. I rejected during the first nine months 3,347 pounds of opium; but have since, during a period of more than two years and a half of my ad­min­i­stra­tion of the law, as will be seen by the above statement, rejected only 3,164 pounds. For the past thirteen months I have rejected only nine hundred and fifty two pounds, while I have passed during that period not less than 70,000 pounds. During the first two months of the operation of the law, I rejected 1,414 pounds of gamboge, but have since met with that only which I was ready {294} to pass without any hesitation. During the first nine months I rejected 2,977 pounds of gum myrrh, but all that has since been presented to entry at this port, I have found satisfactory. Thus might I continue, but time and space will not permit. Enough I opine, has been said and shown to satisfy even the most prejudiced and sceptical opponent of this wise measure, that if faithfully and judiciously administered, and seconded with becoming zeal and honesty of purpose by the medical profession, the pharmaceutist and dispensing apothecary, it is calculated and destined to effect most beneficial and lasting sanitary reforms throughout the length and breadth of our vast and glorious land. In a word, the law has operated thus far remarkably well considering the hasty manner in which it was framed and passed through Congress. It is, in some respects imperfect, as must ever be the case with all new measures of legislation until their utility is tested by practical operation; but these imperfections were, some time since, brought to the attention of the Secretary of the Treasury, who, with his accustomed promptitude soon after instructed me to report to the Department such manifestations and suggestions as my experience in the ad­min­i­stra­tion of the law should dictate as most desirable, practicable, and judicious; and, not­with­stand­ing this important and responsible trust has necessarily been made the subject of the few occasional leisure moments I could from time to time command, apart from other official duties, it is nearly completed, and, in a manner too, as I have reason to believe, that will render the law, when amended as proposed, satisfactory to all honorable dealers, importers, owners, and consignees, and, at the same time do away with the not unreasonable objections entertained by our marine insurance companies; while its efficiency instead of being in any manner impaired by the amendments, will be more perfectly guarded and essentially strengthened. The particulars and details connected with this duty I must defer until another time; but I must be permitted before closing this communication to say, that to the present able and distinguished {295} head of the Treasury Department, Hon. Thomas Corwin, is due a debt of gratitude, from all true friends of this important measure, not easily cancelled. Soon after he was called to take upon himself the re­spon­si­bil­i­ties of one of the most important, and by far the most arduous offices under the general government, the downward and fatal tendency of a mal­ad­min­is­tra­tion of the law was brought to his notice; when, rising above all minor considerations, he rescued it from impending danger, and placed it upon what he deemed a safe basis; and has since, on all occasions, lent a willing ear to every suggestion calculated to render it more perfect, to add to its efficiency, or perpetuate its usefulness. A noble example truly, and one well worthy of the man.

To conclude, I beg to say, that although I have not the honor of belonging to any Phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal Association, I nevertheless take great interest in everything calculated to advance the good cause and noble calling in which you have so long been engaged; and, I hope the day is not far distant, when every city and town of importance throughout this wide extended country, will be favored with an organization of the kind, radiating from a National Phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal Association as a common center. It would be of vast benefit to the community at large, as well as eminently useful to the medical profession; for as all must admit, it is of the most vital importance to the success of the physician, that his remedial agents are properly prepared by a well-bred and perfectly educated chemist and pharmaceutist; and, I may add my conviction, that medical and phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal chemistry, a part of medical education that has thus far been most unpardonably neglected, should be universally and efficiently taught in our Schools of Medicine.

I am, dear Sir,

Very respectfully, your obd’t. serv’t.,

M. J. BAILEY, M. D.,

Special Examiner of Drugs, Medicines, Chemical Medicinal Preparations, &c.

{296}

ON THE USE OF COAL GAS AS A SOURCE OF HEAT FOR THE LABORATORY. BY EDWARD N. KENT.

Having recently fitted up a new laboratory in which I have introduced coal gas as a source of heat, I have thought a description of the apparatus and manner of using it, would be interesting to chemists and phar­ma­ceu­tists, as it has not been very generally applied to this purpose as yet in this country, although in England, where alcohol is dear, it has long been used as a substitute.

In the use of coal gas as a source of heat, the principal difficulty to be avoided, is its tendency to smoke; this I have accomplished in a variety of ways. The ordinary argand gas burner, fixed permanently upon a branch pipe passing up through the table, is one of the cheapest, and a convenient arrangement for many purposes, and to prevent smoke, a tall glass chimney, or a short sheet iron chimney, with every other hole in the burner plugged, so as to make separate and distinct jets for the air to pass through, is all that is necessary. A tripod or sheet iron cylinder, for supporting vessels over the flame, is an indispensable addition to this burner. There is one objection to this form of apparatus, which is, that it is fixed, and cannot be moved about like a lamp. To avoid this inconvenience, I have had a number of burners constructed in different ways, and connected with flexible tubes, so as to admit of a change of position, to any place within the length of the tube.

Fig. 1.

Figure 1, is a gas burner designed as a substitute for the Rose Lamp, and when connected to the gas pipe by means of a flexible tube, answers every purpose of that excellent lamp without being liable to the danger of catching fire, or to the necessity of replenishing during an operation, as is the case with most alcohol lamps. The above arrangement consists of an ordinary argand gas burner, with every other hole plugged, fixed to an arm with a socket and {297} thumb screw, by means of which it can be raised to any height on the rod attached to a moveable wooden foot. The lower part of the burner is provided with a screw to which the flexible tube is attached, by means of a Hare’s gallows screw connector. The other end of the flexible tube should be provided with a stopcock, at its union with the fixed gas pipes for regulating the supply of the gas. Above the burner is a moveable ring, with socket and thumb screw, for supporting retorts, flasks, etc., at any desired height. A glass chimney is represented in the figure, but this may be replaced with a short sheet iron chimney, when part of the holes in the burner have been plugged as before mentioned. The above burner is well adapted for use with the wire gauze chimney, as the moveable ring with the addition of a wire tripod, answers as a support for a platina crucible. To insure a perfect combustion of the mixture of gas and air, I find that the sheet iron cylinder should be about ten inches high and two inches diameter. Over such a cylinder, with the upper end covered with wire gauze, it is an easy matter to fuse carbonate of soda, or other substance requiring a bright red heat. When the combustion is perfect with the above cylinder, the flame is of a pale blueish white color, like that of a solid flame from alcohol but much hotter. With the addition of a small conical chimney of sheet iron, placed over the mixed gas-burner, so as to bring the blue flame to a smaller compass, I find it a very convenient and powerful flame for bending glass tubes, by which tubes of any diameter, or the neck of a retort, may be easily softened and bent.

Fig. 2.

Figure 2, is an argand burner, with every other hole plugged, attached to a heavy brass foot, and with an arm and stopcock, to which a long flexible tube is attached, the other end of which is connected to a pendant above the table. This burner is well adapted for use on any part of the table, and may be used with an ordinary retort {298} stand, or with a sheet iron cylinder, for supporting vessels over the flame. It has all the conveniences without the disadvantages of a Berzelius’ Lamp, as it requires no wicks or replenishing, and cannot take fire; and the stopcock is not liable to get out of order, as is the case with the rack and pinion of the alcoholic lamp.

Fig. 3.

Figure 3, is a large burner, six inches in diameter, with the holes placed far enough apart to form distinct jets of the burning gas, by which means smoke is entirely prevented without the use of any chimney. This burner, like the preceding, is attached to a heavy brass foot, and with an arm and stopcock, to which a long flexible tube is attached, by means of which it can be moved to any part of the table.

Fig. 4.

This burner is provided with a large sheet iron cylinder, (figure 4) with air holes at the top and bottom, a slit at the side, to go over the arm of the burner, and a door in front for convenience in lighting the gas, and thus forms a powerful and convenient gas furnace, by means of which a gallon of water can be easily boiled. With this arrangement the confined heat is so great, that it is necessary to protect the table from burning, by means of sheet iron, or other suitable material.

In point of economy, coal gas is cheaper than alcohol for fuel, even in America where the latter is so cheap, and the price of gas is comparatively high; and, it is to be hoped, that the price of the latter will be reduced, so that coal gas may yet be used with economy, as a source of heat for domestic as well as for chemical and phar­ma­ceu­ti­cal purposes. The present price should be no detriment to its free use, as it is, {299} undoubtedly, the most cleanly and convenient fuel which can be used in the laboratory; and, as such, I would strongly recommend it to those, for whom the above description has been prepared.