The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-18
FOR PROPERLY labeled
DRUGS AND BETTER FOOD
Activities of the Bureau of Chemistry
Against Fraudulent Transactions In
Medicines and Mineral Waters Re-
ceiving Commendation of Public

Washington, D. c., Dec. 1S.-The
false and fraudulent labelling of medi-
cines and mineral waters has recently
received a great deal of attention from
the Bureau of Chemistry, according to
the bureau s report for the year end
ing June 80, 1914. A large number
of instances have been found in which
impossible claims for the preparations
in question have been made and in
these cases steps have been taken TO
compel the owners to alter the labels.
This is true of large number of vet
ernary medicines and in particular of
$50 called) cures for hog cholera. AS
| for mineral waters, the position long
held by the bureau, that so-called
| lithia water must contain enough
lithia to produce an appreciable the
rapeutic effect, has now been sustain
ed by the Supreme Court of the Dis
| trict of Columbia, and in consequence
action has been taken to enforce this.
ruling. Measures are being taken to
prevent the exploitation of so-called
radioactive waters in which the
amount of radium is negligible. Fur
| thermore mineral waters to which has
been added carbonic acid gas or min
eral salt, are not any more, sold as
natural,' but are properly labeled.
In connection with the bureau S
work of food inspection, two important
sanitary surveys have been made of
oyster growing localities one in Chesa
| peake bay, and one in Jamaica bay, n.
| Y. Wherever these surveys resulted
in the discovery of polluted areas the
oystermen moved their stock to clean
water and maintained it there for a
sufficient time. until all danger to the
consumer was done away with.
Altogether there were nearly H.
600 samples of food and beverages col
lected and analysed. The cooperation
of other branches of the government
has been secured for the prosecution
OF cases not fully covered by the food
and drugs act For example, in one
ease connected with illegal traffic in
bad eggs, a number of persons were
indicted for conspiracy In another
case manufacturer of beverages re-
ceived long prison sentence for put
ting wood alcohol in his products.
In addition to this regulatory work
connected with the enforcement of
various laws, scientists of the bureau
have been carrying on important in
vestigations. The report makes parti-
cular mention of the study of the sub
,lect of potato drying. Dried potatoes
may be kept indefinitely for stock
feed and are of course much less bulky
and, therefore, less expensive to trans
port than ordinary potatoes. This in
vestigation will ultimately be extend
ed to other uses for potato products,
shch as the manufacture of starch and
glucose, In order to encourage the pro-
uuctloh OF potatoes as a regular part
IN crop rotation in sections where this
could be done with benefit.
Two new ways have also been dis
covered of utilizing surplus and Gull
apples. One is the manufacture of ap-
pie slrup by clarifying and boiling
down apple juice. The sirup obtained
promises to be welcome addition to
our diet as well as affordine new
market for the apple grower. The
other method of disposing of the snr.
plus of apples is the manufacture of
concentrated cider. Hitherto the mar.
Ni'Si mas bttu llullIPI, due to
the fact that it can only be kent a
snort time and that its bulk makes its
transportation too expensive when long
Instances are to be covered. The con
centrated cider ferments verv slowly
when kept at low temperature. When
diluted with water it has practically
the same flavor as the oriainal apple
juce from which it was made. and lis
condensed form makes it much cbeaD-
er to ship. ''''P
Considerable attention has also beep
devoted to the fish industry which mn
TO the present time has been a subject
OF much less scientific study than meat
packing. With the growing scarcity of
meat, however, it seems obvious that
nsh VIII come to play a more import-
ant part in the nations food sunoIv
and such uestions as the best means of
storage, transportation. and the nre.
Nehtlon of waste deserve careful in.
Vestigatlon. An instance OF the value
OF inns work is afforded by the Maine
sardine industry. As a result of GOV.
eminent investigation marked i'm.
provement has taken place in the
quahty of American sardines mt nm
oy establishments along Cne coas; Of
that State. "