The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-20

eulcleut remedy IoE lnlS DaneIut ana dangerous
practice. Ip the course Of the discussions
which arose, much information was elected of
by no means a pleasant character. Facts in
abundance were cited to prove that patients
could not even be dosed with nauseous medica-
ments without being compelled to swallow viler
stuff than the physician had prescribed. Most
of the quinine manufactured in this country
was robbed of its potency by adulteration with
bitter alkalolds Of less price, and infinitely less
activity. Opium was mixed up with half q
dozen other inspssated juices possessing none
of the peculiar powers OF the poppy Rhubarb
was usually Of inferior quality, and blended
with turmeric and other coloring matters. to
impart to it the rich hue of the genuine article.
Brick dust logwood. saw dust. liquorice root,
alum and starch formed considerable proper
ton of the contents of many druggists stock
and being cheap and readily procured. they
were employed to debase the qualities of dearer
articles. The best that can be said in extenua-
ton of these deliberate frauds is, that they are
not absolutely poisouous-uut like nux yomica
in beer, and strychnine in whisky. Butiti quite
manifest that when physician orders a certain
drug to be administered to a patient, he pre-
scribes the amount of each dose upon the pre-
sumption of the purity of the medicine. Hence
it must frequently happen that when such drug
is largely intermixed with inactive substances,
its efficacy is so completely neutralized that no
perceptibe benefit follows its exhibition. Per-
haps this may explain the impunity with which
immense doses of certain powerful medicaments
have been prescribed and taken. We have
heard of cases of fever in which hundred and
fifty grains of sulphate of quinne had beer
given in twenty-fo hours, with little apparent
effect We believe that the salt in its unalloyea
state would produce very serious consequence
such as deafness, ringing in the ears, dizziness
&C., in such extraordinary quantities. Its no.
pleasant to take physic, but, as New York
journal forcibly remarks, ''inssmuch as we all
have to put up with more or less drugging in
the course Of our lives, we prefer to have the
drugs as pure AS possible
One ight have anticipated some beneficial
results from the deliberations of the pharma-
ceut;cal wisdom of the country. assembled al
Washington, but upon glancing at the record
that all accomplished was to signalize the
evil without indicating remedy. We submit
that it was hardly worth while to turn the
stomachs of the nation by loathsome details OF
the manifold processes of adulteration, ifnoth~
ing more was contemplated. To be sure the
apotheearies were extremely eloquent in de
nouncing these shameless cheats, and very
particular in pointing out the marvellous lnge-
nuity displayed in their connection; but when
the leading point of interest was started, VIE:
how to abate the evil, the convention was all
at sea. 1t was horrible ofense against hon
esty and morality to perpetrate these frauds:
they did violence to conscience and all the prin-
ciples of probity recognized among christian
men and gentlemen; but legal enactments or
statutory prohibitions, it was feared, would
prove unavailing-all Of which is highly con-
solatory.
We, ourselves, are of opinion that each State
interested in this subject, and disposed to make
an effort towards reform. might effect great
good by providing for a commission of scien-
tifc gentlemen, charged with the duty Of e1-
amining specimens of drugs in the leading
towns and cities, and of reporting to the legis-
lature A penal code could then be framed in
accordance with the facts and suggestions Of
the report, and thus salutary movement would
be initiated. Something of the kind was done
by the British parliament few years ago, on
a very extensive scale, including articles of
food as we'll as drugs, and the exposure made
in consequence, contributed as much as fear of
punishment to diminish adulteration We do
not see how the federal government could un-
dertake such reform, but it is clearly within
the scope and power of the individual States.
and for the sake of suffering humanity it should
at least be attempted. N. 0. Bee.
JAPAN.-The Paris Pays publishes intelli-
gence from Japan to the 18th Of July, accord
ing to which the authorities were doing all in
their power for the faithful execution of the
terms of the treaties. An imperial decree au-
thorised the erection of commercial exchanges
at Simoda, Nangasaki and Hakodadi, and ap
pointed number of merchandise brokers to
facilitate commercial intercourse with the vari
Gus nations included in the treaties.
It will be recollected that the Americans pre-
sented railroad and telegraph to the EN-
peror. The latter has been put up by f Jap
anese engineer, and is in successful operation.
1t is five leagues in length The EN- peror is
SO well pleased with the invention that he has
ordered telegraphic communication to be estab
lished between Jeddo and the provinces of Go
kinaih, Tokaido, Fekruro, Kudu, Sangado and
Saikaido. An American house established at
Smoda has offered to furnish the requisite ma
terials
1he most important ACT OF tne F:lghlnS eHi'
peror is the revocation Of the edict against the
christians issued by the emperor Daia- -Fusam,
in 1914. In future, foreign agents accredited
at japanese ports will be privileged to bring
with them one or more christian preachers, for
their own and their countrymen's benefit.
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DEATH OF BARRY NoRvAL.--We are griered
to learn that our esteemed and valued friend
Barry Norva, died of yellow fever on the goth
ult, near Cairo, on his passage from New Or
leans to Louisville.
Mr.. Noyyal was son of ex-senator Norval,
of Michigan--was civil engineer in The ser
vice of the United States, and for the last three
years was engaged with Col. Fuller in the i'm
provement Of Red River in the region of the
raft. .-.
We knew him well, and with the Louisville
Democrat, which journal brings US the sad in
telligence of his death, "we can but mourn over
the gallant spirit now lying hushed and still.
and the noble heart which had ceased to beat
beneath the manly form that covered it." The
same paper states that ''his remains will be re-
moved from their temporary resting place on