Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-12
Adnltsrafion of LIQUORS.

The following letter Of DIR. Higgins, OF
Mar, land. in reply to AL inquiry proPounded
nv The Judge of the Baltimore Criminal
Court, will be read with interest. The let
ter was laid before the Grand Jury by Judge
Stump, and upon the adjournment OF that
BODY was kindly furnished to US for publlca-
tom BaitimOrs Patriot.
BALTIMORE, June 9th, 1859.
To HIS Honor Henry Stump, the Jnd9e 81
Mr Criminui Court Of Baltim"re city. :,
SIR: Ia compliance with your request. /
propose nothing more than to give br'el
summary of the analysis, which, from time
To time | have made of whiskey and other
iouors. their authorizations, Intentionally
made and their deleterious compounds pro-
au,.d in the progress of distillation.
1t might be promised that if one OF the
nr,n,ipai characteristics Of our epoch in COM
mercial point Of view, is the immense progress
which every department Of productive III,
dustry has achieved, it ought to he admitted
that the arts OF adulteration and soPhistica-
ton have more than kept pace with that
progress. And it could be added with per
feet truth. that these arts have invaded the
luxuries of the rich and the necessities oi
the Door: raiment, food, medicines. furniture,
the means Of life, and the requirements OF
disease, all that can be mixed, twisted
ground, pulverized, worn, pressed-all arti-
cles of CONSUMPTION in trade III manutac-
tur.s in the arts, in Il word, all that can be
mad. matter of commerce. and be SOLD, is
adulterated, falsited disguised. and drugged.
Incertitude and fllsehOod are everywhere the
,nr, brands on packages. The very neces-
saries Of life are mixed with poisonous sub
stances, and the medicines sold TO cure the
diseases produced by them, are frequently
so adulterated. rs to be equally injurious
with the substances whose effects they were
prescribed to cure. Almost all the liquors
sold in our markets are adulterated more or
less and some Of them are injurious from
want of skill in the manufactures, or by
carving the process of distilation too lar.
have examined many specimens OF whis-
kew. and have found in most OF them: the
existence of fissei oil produced by improper
distillationJ and suiphnric acid. The latter
is M Intentional aduteratiOn.
The presence of fusil oil in whiskey may
be detected by the following distinct, sensl-
ble properties.
First ~ To Smell. This is burning and
pungent. with slight tinge of putridlty.---,
Whiskev or brandy, which contains this oil'
has a hot, burning and Scalding taste The
burning sensation is different from that
produced by hot water, cayenne pepper,
mustard. or most Of thr vegetable substan-
ces It's yapoY breathed for IL short time
produces asthmatic pain, with cough and
committing. It's effects on the stomach are.
frat. that of IL burning heat which must be
relieved bv an instant drop OF cold water.
or vomiting will ensue and be accompanied
with the eructation of viscd irothy mucus
from the stomach and throat. Its subse-
auent effect is to produce dyspepsia. head
ache, sickness of the stomach with great
mental and physical prostration. and all the
evils incident Ia want OF nutrition, depraVeu
secretions of the liver, and general dlsor-
der of the dige stye organs. 1t also materl-
ally lessons the quantity of urine, aud
makes it high-eolured and loads 1t with urea
uric acid.
.Suiphuric dcid is used in adulteration.- =
Whiskey or brandy adulterated with this
acid may be distinguished by its cooling taste
on the tongue, and its agreeable aromatic
odor. 1t neither heats the stomach nor
burns the tongue; its physiological influence
however, is very deleterious, producing =
sort of delirium analogous to that produced
by laughing gas, and depriving. for time,
the recipient of it. OF all mental or physical
control The first effect is one Of wild. Iubi-
liant delirium. then stupor. and frequently
total unconsciouSness follows.
To mind like yours, familiar with medl.
cal Jurisprudence, know the inquiry will
readily suggest itself, whether person, M
Justice, should be punished for crime COM
mitted when under the influence of liquor 40
adulterated. Ought not the penalty OF the
law to visit the tabrcator Of the cause Of
crime? Az Judge you can much better
answer the question. As cihzen, and
man of some experience. | have no heslta-
ton in saying that he who commences
the fray" ought to take the blows. But
lawyers and legstorS must fix the matter
There in IL popular error that strychnine
il placed in whiskey. When investigating
the nature and cure for the hog cholera,
had abundant opportunity for information
on this subject, and can safely say that it
is not used in whiskcy or brandy. 1t could
effect nothing if used. and could not be pro
htably employed. 1t is used in beer, ale and
all of the malt liquors for the purpose OF inl-
parting bitterness, but in quantities so small
IA not to occasion injury Ia those who make
use of them.
| have the honor to he your obedient
servant, JAMES liiGGINs,
Analytic and Consulting Chemist