Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-19
Fusion Brink.

\ The Editor Of the fusion organ is eternaly let
! ting off his gas about "brandy smashes,' gil
cocktails, whiskey punches, &C., and he canno
look with the least degree OF allowance upon tn,
man who will indulge in the "piSen' in any shape
AS is usually the case with those who manies
such deep concern in the affairs Of others-he ha
"an Ak to grind" for, while he is thus berating
others without stint, he is daily pumping up hi,
poisonous soda and dealing it out at half dime
sup. This he does for the same reason that the
dealer in the ardent deals out his drinks--for the
profits Of the business. He knows that it adds
nothing to the comfort, and promotes not the
| health or happiness of those who use it; but for
the mere pittance of a half dime drink, he con-
tinues to deal it out daily at his counter. ss
The following article from the New York Tri-
bane shows that this miserable poisonous fusion
drink is as dangerous and deterious in its effects
upon the human system as even druggcd liquors
themselves: ... ..
Poisonous SoDA.--ln the American Medical
Monthly for Julyis an important article from Prof.
Doremus upon the "Poi>onous Effects OF Soda
Water from Copper Fountains and Lead Pipes /"
In consequence Of hearing omplaints from sew
eral friends OF being taken ill Immediately after
drinking soda-water, he was induced to obtain
several gallons from various parts Of the city and
subject each parcel to chemical analysis. Cop
per was the hrst poisonous substance TO be found,
and this was very abundant in water from places
OF little trade, where the acid water remained
long time in the copper condenser. The amoust
OF copper III quart OF water was grain aud
held in solution by the carbonic acid, and was SO
plentiful that it formed green scum while the
water was boiling. Besides this virulent poison,
Prot. d. found in the same quart ofwater enough
carbonate of lead to produce two thirds of grain
OF pure metal. The copper here mentioned
comes from the condensers all Of which are said
to be timed inside; but in some the work is not
we'll done, and in others the tin is worn of. The
lead is from the lead pipe, long coils of which are
used to convey the water from the. condenser to |
the Jet. The reason why this poison is not more
observable may be because the sweet sirups used
operate as antldotes; yet many instances are
Known where attacks of vomiting have succeeded
the drinking of soda, and were usually set down
as cholera, when in fact it was the effect of cop
per poison. The Professor concludes that soda
water may be innocent if kept in condensers and
pipes which are thoroughly timed, yet imperfec-
Mons IN tlnnlng are so common and so difficult OF
discovery. that the vessels ought to be con6ded
only to the most careful and trust worthy hands
Stone, iron, block-tin or gutta percba coDdensers
md pipes would be safe.
We can speak from personal experience of the
'ckening effects OF the stuff sold for soda in some
irug-stores, having suffered severely for two or
hree days after draught at store in in Atlantic
IT,, Brooklyn. No doubt there are places where
:are is used and soda is comparatively pure; but
he greater number OF shops are not of this char
lcter. There ought TO be some strict prohibition
i the use of untnned lead pipes for water or any
'ther beverage, and of copper in the case OF soda
y other liquid that is poisoned by the contact
But the utter disregard of human life evnced in
bis City leavesn no hope of such regulation. The
nly protection for the people is to abandon the
se Of soda altogether. A glass of iced Croton
vater is far better, contains neither carbonate Of
opper nor Of lead, and costs next to nothng.-
t is wonderful with what industrious zeal people
york to kill themselves by pouring all manner of
oisons, from alcohol 10 arsenic, down their
hroats; over-drinking and over.eating with
ecklesness amounting to positive insanity.