Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1909 — LOCAL DRUGGISTS ARE ALL INDICTED. [ARTICLE]

LOCAL DRUGGISTS ARE ALL INDICTED.

Alleged to Have Sold lodine, Limewater and Ammonia That Were Not Up to Standard. Great Heavens! Did you know that the last iodine you bought of a Rensselaer druggist had less than 48.92 per cent of tincture of iodine; or that the ammonia that you bought had a lesser per cent than 57.4 of aqua ammonia, or that the limewater graded less than 3.16 per cent of calcium hydrate? These conditions are alleged by the state food inspector Frank Tucker, who has just caused indictments to be returned against all three of the local druggists, A. F. Ix>ng, B. F. Fendig and Joe Larsh. On the 16th of last June Tucker came here and made purchases of these articles of the three druggists. He analyzed them and found that they contained a lesser per cent than is required by the United States Pharmacopoedla. He informed, the druggists of the deficiency and warned them to be careful in the future.

Two weeks ago he again made his appearance here, bringing with him Prosecuting Attorney Fred Longwell, of Brook. He had the indictments made out at that time but they were not turned over to the clerk until Monday afternoon. They were at once served, and the druggists filed up to the court house and went on each other’s bond for their appearance for trial on Monday, April 26th.

The indictments allege that the articles which Tucker purchased did not contain the required per cent of the ingredients. The druggists have consulted legal authority and it is quite probable that they will contest the cases against them. They make their own iodine and limewater and allege that both of these articles have but a limited sale and that they weaken after being made up. . Lime water is made simply of lime and water and costs practically nothing and there would be no object in cheapening it. lodine is used externally and is made up in considerable quantities and deteriorates after standing. Ammonia is bought of wholesale houses and the druggists presumed that what they were selling was standard. lt is used almost exclusively for cleansing purposes and probably serves the purpose just as well as though it were of greater strength. It is quite certain that the druggists did not sell an adulterated article with any intention of cheapening the cost, and there is an element of persecution made possible by a law that will provide for the fining of a druggist for such simple offenses. The minimum fine prescribed is $lO for the first offense.