The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-05-02

Within the last few years-especially
since the advent Of high prices-the
practice of adulterating almost every ar.
ticle of food has received sti0ulous cor
responding to the increased profits ON
the sale of spurious preparations. So
extensive is this adulteration, that in
many instances it is impossible for con-
sumers wholly to avoid it-though it
must be admitted that the materials used
for adulterating are sometimes harmless
in themselves. There is no ground for
supposing, however, that the fraudulent
manufacturers and dealers are guided by
any better motives in this matter than
their own convenience and economy
There is one article, not entitled to the
name Of food, in which the adulteration
has more than kept pace with the ad-.
vanced tax and duty. Whisky, as COM
monty sold, is one Of the most spurious
and deceitfnlly manufactured compounds
imaginable. Putting out of the question
the physiological effects on mind and
body of genuine whisky, we are met by
the appalling fact that nearly all the Ii
quor sold as whisky at the present time
is not only spurious but exceedingly
poisonous. =
A distinguished chemist ST Boston has
recently been conducting . series Of
elaborate experiments with the intention
Of discovering how far the reputed adul-
teration Of spirits is actually injurious
to health. The result proves that fusel
oil exists in all liquors made from grain.
in those Of high price as we'll as in the
cheaper sorts. This fusel oil 10 one Of
the most deadly poisons, and although
it is found only in small quantities, it
has doubtless . very deleterious effect
when liquor containing it is constantly
used. This poison is supposed to be-
come inert after spirit containing it has
been kept three or four years, but all
new whisky contains it in appreciable
quantities. Among the other poisons
which have been thus far detected, are
the salts of copper. lead, tin. and other
metals, in which the various processes
of manufacture are carried on. Metallic
poisoning is one of the most insidious
means by which health can be under
mined, as the minuteness of the dose
renders the victim unconscious of the
mischief that is going on until it is too
late. Physicians are frequently called
to cases of mysterious disease, which
might be traced to the use of poisoned
drinks.
Paralysis, now exceedingly common,
is often brought on by the metallic pois-
ons, taken in minute quantity for months
or years. Some of these poisons are
found in what is known in the market a.
the purest and the oldest whisky These
considerations should be pondered we'll
by those who are in tho daily habit Of
consuming a given amount Of strong
drink, which often proves strong enough
to break down the health and permanent
ly enfeeble both mind and body. It 10
a great mistake to imagine that even the
purest spirits give, strength or contain
nutriment. They add temporarily TO
both mental and physical vigor, precise
ly as the lash Of whip adds to the power
of the horse. Energy thus excited must
be made up for afterwards, and cor
responding reaction is inevitable. This
is the opinion of the ablest medical men
of the day, and the experience Of soci-
ETY. everywhere bears ample testimony
to its truth. AS pure spirits are now al
most unknown, the aggregate destruc-
tion of life by the poisonous compounds
in daily use is absolutely incalculable.-
( n. Y. Sun.