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.