New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-03
THE LIQUORS OF COMMERCE.


was practiced in Greece and Rome more than
two centuries ago, and then, as now, the Medi-
cal Faculty denounced it, and lamented the
stimulants for the sick.
HippOcrates called attention to the tricks OF
the Athenian winners four centuries before the
Christian era. Galen, somewhat later, sternly
rebuked the wine merchants of Rome for tam
pering with the juice of the grape. There was
no distilled liquors in those days. and many Oh
the subtle poisOns at present used by liquor
mixers were unknown, but considering their
knowledge and opportunities the adulterators
of the classic ages" showed considerable
adrotness in their nefariOus calling. Lead lime,
gypsum, and sea-water were put into new wine
by the Roman dealers and it was boiled and left
to cool in metal vessels by way of improving
its taste and giving it transparency. TO this day
some of the Mediterranean wines are subjected
to a similar process. All the wines OF Europe
are more or less adulterated before they leave
g" first hands, and as to the stuff commonly re-
tailed in this country under the names OF Port,
Sherry, Madeira &C., &C., sloe-juiee, decocuon
of logwood, powder of catecheu, alum, plaster
of paris, lead, ltharge, carbonate OF soda OIL OF
almonds, cider, and bad rum, may be mentioned
as among their peasants ingredients.
BIT it is in the connection of "splrituous
liquors" that the adulterators of this generation
particularly excel. The tricks OF the Greek
and Roman winners were mere child's play to
theirs. Strychnne, sulphuric acid, sugar of lead,
ialap, opiates, and a variety of pungent alkalies
are among the delicacies that enter into the
composition of ordinary " bar-rOOm liquors." and
some of them consist almost wholly of per-
nicious chemicals with small admixture of I'M
rectiied spirit. No wonder, under such circum-
stances, that tavern brandy, rum, gin, and
whisky, carry death and madness in their train.
No wonder, also, that physicians hare lost con-
fdence in the liquors Of commerce and are AFRAID
to use them.
Stimulants, however, are as necessary IN medi-
cal practice as febrifuges, or cathartics, or
anodynes, or Alternatives, or any other OF the
recognized specifics for disease. The great
question is, can pure stimWIdnt be had? We
say Il can We assert that HOsTETTER's SToM-
ACH BITTERs, the alcoholic basis of which Is
the essence of sound MonOngahela Rye, is as
pure a stimuIant as 1t is possible for human skill
TO manufacture. Ii is, however, something more
and better than this, to wit, judiciously medi-
Gated stimulant, in which the qualifying ingre-
dents are the finest stomachic, aperient alter
alive, and anti bilious herbs, roots, and gums
| These vegetable constituents modify and con-
| troll the effect of the spirituOus elements, ana
render the Bitters the safest, mlldest, and most
effective invigOrant at present IN use.
1t may be remarked, perhaps that this Is an
| easy thing to say-but how ~ 1t 10 he proved
| TO this we have only TO reply that cOnoDOla,
tive testimony from high scientific sources, and
from citizens of good standing in every probes
| sion and calling, extending over period OF
more than twenty-f years, Is at the service
of whom 1t may concern. Volumes OF TINS tes-
timony have been published, and there re-
mains at least an equal amount as yet I'M
printed.
For the melancholy consequences which ensue
from the sale of unwhOlesOme compounds bear
ing the names of the various splTltuous liquors.
the powers that be are in some degre response
BILE. Deriving as it does, large revenue from
the importation and manufacture OF alcoholic
beverages, it is manifestly the duty OF the Gen
cal Government to protect the people as lar as
possible against the introduction OF pOlSORs INTO
their daily drink Still more imperative Is the
obligation To shield the sick from the peril OF
being killed or injured by pernicious excltants,
administered as medicines. Inspection ana tax
alton ought, in this matter, go hand III hand;
and i'm MI cases of adulteratiOn, the adulterated
article instead of being taxed should he deShOyed
Every tincture and extract containing, or pur,
porting TO contain alcohol, should be examined
by competent scientific men, and not permitted
| 10 20 INTO INC unlll It's pliliy hdo
| been authOrtatively certified. The sanitary in
terests of the community should be paramount
to the financial interests of the Government
the public health being of infinitely more I'M
pOrtance than the public revenue. But no such
protective supervision is exercised either by the
| central power at Washington or by the State
Governments. The Internal Revenue assessors
| and collectors simply demand their tax, know
| ing nothing about the wholesOmeness or un-
whoesOmcness of the article upon which It Is
| levied; the CustOm-HOuse Collectors insist on
payment of the duties required by law on I'M
| ported liquors, but how much or how little for
| eign poison there may be in each cask or
| puncheOn it is not their business to ascertain.
| Congress seems TO have entirely overlooked its
| function of public protection i'll legislating on
| the liquor question. State Legislatures have
been equally remiss Many of them have tried
| prohibition, and failed. No one of them. so far
as We arc aware has endeavored to mitigate
the evils of which they have all complained, by
! insttuting n rigid system of inspection.
We should be glad TO see Such q system
adopted as an experiment. It would at least
| upon the working classes, TO an unlimited ex-
| tent. the fiery fluids which fill our jails poor
houses, hospitals, unatic asylums,. and iD;lu
| merable graves, with miserable Victims
Were such regulation III iorce We should
| have no need to exrr..oru the nature and value
of our preparation through the public press.
| Tho fcpoft of the inspecting officers would be
| our sufficient voucheI-a stronger advertise,
J ment than any we could frame. Gladly would
we welcome the official agents of the Govern,
| ment-State or Fcderal-to our factory, and
challenge their closest scrutiny, their sharpestt
tests. An inspection law of the KIND indicated
would If eompetently administered, be one of
| the most useful enactments ever placed on our
statute books. 1t would be conservative alike
of health and morals. -.
When the British Government literally ten
dered opium to the Chinese at the point OF the
bayonet-compelling that unfortunate nation to
make its election between hopeless war and
| nnicnn-tha IInitad