* Considerable dark sediment formed in this sample during the heating process.
† It should be pointed out here that while every sample showed some absorption, the amount, with the exception of the unknown bulk, is so small that it might even be accounted for on the basis of “experimental error.” Every ordinary precaution was taken to insure accuracy, but since about 15 gm. of the solution was used for each determination, it is seen that an error of 0.3 c.c. in the titration would indicate a greater absorption of iodin than that noted.
Conclusions: These experiments show: A solution of iodin in liquid petrolatum is saturated when it contains about 1.4 per cent. of iodin. The amount of iodin absorbed (disappearing as free iodin) by liquid petrolatum, when in contact at room temperature for as long as seven months, or in contact at 100 C. for four hours, or both, is relatively insignificant. Also all the absorption seems to take place during the heating and in the first month of contact.—(From Reports A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory, 1919, p. 21.)
AMERICAN-MADE SYNTHETIC DRUGS—II
Examination of Procain (Novocain), Barbital (Veronal), Phenetidyl-Acetphenetidin (Holocain), Cinchophen or Phenylcinchoninic Acid (Atophan), Manufactured Under Federal Trade Commission Licenses[I][J]
Paul Nicholas Leech, Ph.D.; William Rabak, Ph.G., Sc.B., and A. H. Clark, Ph.G., Sc.B.
Before European hostilities, the United States was so dependent on Germany for synthetic drugs that the dependence was considered a necessity; this was strikingly manifested by the precipitous rise in prices immediately after the embargo was declared against Germany. Since then the shortage of German-made synthetics has caused two important results: 1. The physician can do without most of the German drugs, because the prewar demand had been stimulated artificially. 2. Those few synthetics, which were in great need, are being rapidly replaced by the American-made drugs.[218] In connection with the second result, the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association has endeavored to contribute its services.
In September, 1917, it was announced[219] that the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory would make studies of American-made synthetics. Just prior to this announcement, the National Research Council established a committee on synthetic drugs[220] “to facilitate the manufacture of synthetic drugs in this country and thus to relieve shortage and reduce the exorbitant prices which have resulted from the war.”[221] Also during this time Congress was considering the “trading with enemy” act, first known as the Adamson bill—the purpose of which was to confer authority on the President to license American firms to use U. S. patents owned by German subjects. The act became law, September 28; the Federal Trade Commission was designated by the President to carry out the provisions of the law as it referred to enemy-owned patents. As a result of a conference, Oct. 30, 1917,[222] with various agencies, the Federal Trade Commission decided to consider licenses for manufacturers of synthetic drugs, after recommendations had been made by the Committee on Synthetic Drugs of the National Research Council; this committee in turn invoked the aid of the A. M. A. Chemical Laboratory in testing the manufacturer’s products. The essence of the laboratory’s work up to July 1, 1919, is reported in this paper.