Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-10

T 0III IIIN &c y q = III y
Measnring civilization.


From the New Orleans Delta.
Measuring Civilization.
One of the most distinguished phenomena of
modern civilization is the general use OF anes-
thetic and narcotic agents, and the peculiar NAL
aides incident to their use. Liebeg announced,in
one of his popular works on chemistry, that the
amount of soap consumed by people might be
taken as the measure of its civilization. We
don't think this Liebegian notion met with very
favorable acceptance in this country. The Dem
ocratic party were then triumphant, and among
other soubriquets BY which they were known at
home and abroad, was chat OF the "Great I'm
washed" 1t is quite possible that they resented
this sapOnaciOus theory as wantOn insult, and
set their faces firmly against its dissemination.
The idea is ms longer liable to political objection;
but on statistical grounds we consider II open to
contradiction. We think strong reasons exist for
asserting that it is not in the use of soap, but
much rather in the use of tobacco, opium, coffee,
tea, alcohol, chloroform, and the like inventions
of progressive society, that we are to look for
true measure of civilization. Liebeg also gave
his sanction to the theory-perhaps was the author
of it-that alcohol liquors are food. few years
ago one of the English reviews, the "Westmins-
ter" adopted this theory, and published very
able argument to prove that bread was alcohol
and that alcohol was bread
Recently however, it has abandoned the theory,
and ON the authority of several eminent physiolo-
gists, who made experiments to test the che
havor'' Of alcohol in the animal organism, as
serts that alcohol is not converted into tissue or
consumed in respiration. Like chlorOform, the
sRevew holds and other anesthetic agents, il acts
specifically on the brain and the general nervous
system, and is eliminated undec0mp0sed from the
body. We are also told that 1t tends to arrest
waste of tissue, and to cause deposition OF fatty
substance, so that, although not food, It may 60
far when food is deficient, or waste excessive, to
supply the place of food; while, taken in excess,
il will kill Just as choroforn, opium or nicotine
taken in excess will kill.
Absinthe, called IN France tie "Opum of the
West" claims high place among the potables
whose use contributes to form measure OF civil
ization The Paris correspondent of New ork
paper, the World, gives interesting account
based on scientific authority, of the composition
and effects of this fascinating drink. be says:
ABsINTHE DRINKING.
The frightful effects caused by abSinthe drink
ing in France are Just now exciting good dea
of interest in the medical fraternity. AbsinthI
is drank in immense quantities by all classes Of
society in Paris. In front of the magnificent
cafes in the boulevards. between three and five
O'Clock in the afternoon, hundreds of gentlemen
may be seen sitting. mixing and slipping this VII
famous green liquor, which is taken by way oil
an appetizer before dinner. WOrkmen drink Il
in the low corner establishments of the mar
Glands de Gin. In different portions of the city
are establishments which are crowded from morn
ing till night in which the sale of absinthe is made
Speciality" and where nothing else is sold La
dies ofhgh families are reported to have yielded t.
its fascination. 1t has been exported and Is used
to an enormous extent in all the French colonies
and statistics of expectation show that immense
- nd fasfx
not therefore, be unintercsting to your readers
particularly if any of them are in the habit Of
'taking little absinthe before dinner just to give
them an appetite" to learn something about tht
composition and effects of this seductive liquor
which, from the actual irresistible power which
it wields its victims well as from the sim
iarity of its effects and the general and increasing
popularity it has acquired, may not improperly
be called the "opum of the West
WHAT IT Is MADE OF.
In paper recently read before the Academy
of Medicine of Paris, NJ. Mattel, physician who
has evidently devoted good deal OF attention
to this subject, SAYS that the habitual use of alb
sinthe causes a series of pathological manifesto
tions extremely grave, and differing essentially
from the effects productivity theracoholic drinks
For tn wears past enormous quantities OF it have
been drank in Paris. The mnrderous beverage
has been taken to Algeria where it has beer
greatly abused by the cOfOnlStS ana the army
and where the heat of the climate tends great,
to heghten its deleterious effects. The effect o
large doses or of the habitual use of this liquor i
now well known, but the drinker returns to it il
obedience to an apparently irresistible fascination
knowing that it is destroying him.
"Absinthe" which is French word meaning
in English, ''wormwood," is liquor made by thu
distillation of number of plants with alcohol
These are the tops of the NORWOOD, flag root
anniseed, angelica root, leaves of dittany (Origa
mum dictdmRus,) and sweet marioram. All thes
are placed in alcohol of very high proof. wher
they allowed TO remain eight days, when TIN
mixture is distilled, and half an ounce of the es
sentiai oil of anise is then added to each three
gallons of the liquor The first care after til,
distillation is to see whether the liquor has goo,
color. and whether it will "whten well, and if j
is lacking in these essentials it is brought up t.
the proper point with indigo, tncture of curcuma
hyssop, nettles, and sulphate of copper, (the or
binary "blue .vitriol.') Absinthe, however re
qures adulteration to make it a positive poi
son. Composed of plants of highly excitin:
qualities, mixed with highly concentrated alcohol
it acts directly upon the nervous system, havin;
a much more positive effect than other alcoholic
liquors. In the process of distllation the plant
furnish several volatile oils, which are among tn
most violent poisons, and beside these it must b.
remembered that a large quantity of the essenta
mixing their absnthe, have ever stopped to con
slider the cause of the whitening" or eve
thought that the better the liquor "mixes" tn
more powerfully poisonous it Is The white de
posit, which in precipitating renders the liquor
turbid, comes from the essential oils of anise
NORWOOD, angelica, &c, which are held in solu
ton of alcohol, but which are not soluble il
water, or alcohol, weakened with it.
ITS EFFEcrs
pound Now for its effects, which in n sentenc
are summed up by DR.. Motel as general poison
ing of the system. which terminates in insanit
and death. The following are given as the pri
mary effects of the habtual use of absinthe: Tn
muscular system is brought intosa state of un
certainty and INDIGESTION, which is easy to recog
nize by contractions and trembling Of the fore
arm, of the hand and inferior members. Strang
sensations are observed by the unfortunate vic
time-such as tngling and pricking of the skin
! heavness of the limbs, and numbncss-the han
seizing and as suddenly letting go anything With
its reach. In standing the patients require some
thing TO lean against, not being solid upon the
/ legs; the knees tremble and bend a general nj
of hebetude marks the feature; the bps, tn
the tongue and the muscles of the face tremble
the eye is sad and sorowful; the skin become
yeilowish; dyspepsia and visiting away ensue; th
mucuous membranes assume violent hue; th
hair falls off, and the whole framework of til
man falls into premature old age and dildpdl
ton. Such are the bodily signs OF a5sinthe po
son-and the mental troubles progress concur
rently with the disorders of the muscular system
BY reason of the progress of the disease OF tn
bran the sleep of the patient is disturbed; he la
terrible dreams, and Nightmares, and sudde
wakings. Hehas Authorizations, illusions, blind
ing of the eyes, vertigos, hyprochondria, yer
marked embarrassment and dwelling upon word
in Speaking, and constantly decreasing strengt