Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-28
TIE HORRORS OF .fBSE.rTHR.

The Pittsburg Dispatch publishes an elab-
crate and highly interestngarticle on tab
sinthe," which is drink more deadly in its
effects than the sharpest flask of Jersey
lightning or the worst kind of "forty rod
whiskey," as follows:
ArtelRisid dbSinthiim is the botanical
name of modest looking flower which is
grown extensively throughout Europe,
known to the common people as worm
wood, and grown mainly, the book tells us,
on account of its medical properties. Such
indeed was the case until within compar-
atively recent prriod of time. But of that,
unfortunately, it has assumed a new posi-
ton, and undermines and uproots, instead
of repairing the constitution. 1t is not
handsome flower or plant, says New
York paper; and yet of late years 1t has
become in immense demand. Although
indigenous in Europe, and very prolific,
the supply is even still greater. 1t is in
tensely bitter, and is therefore good tom
ic. AS such it was known to the ancients,
and the old Romans were accustomed to
indulge in their Cen,tm dbsinthium, or
NORWOOD bitters, Just as their American
uU'..s.'---.- l. - 60. nnpatiia for
their epicurean revels. Sometimes it is
used to ward off an attack of ch lis and fc-
yer, like quinine; sometimes it is used for
tiavoring vinegar; sometimes il is used
for innammablc purposes in surgical opera
tions.
What is called the tincture of absinthe
derived directly from the NORWOOD plant,
is harmless enough in fact it is beneficial
and is highly priced as medical prepare
ton consequently nobody but sick peo-
pie ever think of taking it, and even they
don't take it if they can help it, it is so Bit
ter. But when the juice is obtained by dis
tillation, and becomes by the process oily
when it is colored and favored with other
preparations, and is mixed in certain pro-
portions with alcoholic stmulants, then ii
has a pungent taste; then it has deadly
properties, and people go crazy over it, and
must have it, and drink it with a relish and
get drunk on it; then it becomes the alb
snthe which is sold at every place OF pub
lie resort in Paris and which has become
regular thing behind the bars of this coun-
try.
There is one great mercantile advantage
about absinthe; wormwood is cheap and
therefore ii is easily made, and above all
things it can be made in this country Just
as well as in any other, and consequently,
they can sell what is made in New York at
Just as high price to the consumer, and to
as much satisfaction as if it were made in
either in Scotland or Paris.
There are about fifteen places in New
York where absnthe is manufactured di-
rectly. Some people, in TACT, prefer tho
American to the genuine or imported alb
sinthe on the same principle, perhaps, that
many Americans prefer adulterated wines
to the pure juice of the grape. Dealers
like the American absnthe better of course;
it is cheaper for them, and just as costly for
their customers. A case Of imported alb
sinthe costs S2l, whereas the domestic arti-
Gle can be obtained for from Sl2 to sl5.
The French are the heaviest absinthe con-
sumers in the world. Originally introduce
ed into France as a medicinal drink, pro-
phylatic for soldiers and other exposed
persons against ague, taste was formed
for 1t, which soon exceeded all medicin-
al limits, and absinthe at once became the
special beverage and the special curse OF
lut lhllOls AS Ntl, lllt AultIlfdllN ltkt
their absinthe eight" diluted in water, in
moderate quantities. In New Orleans,
which is largely French, more ahsnthe is
taken than in any other city of the Union
in proportion to the population. In the
West it is comparatively unknown, and ii
is not popular in New England.
When drank irregularly aud to excess
there is no poison more sure in its deadly
work than absinthe. The confirmed and
inveterate aud Incorporate absinthe drink
er is confirmed and deliberate suicide
lie might as well swallow so much Paris
green and be done with it, only the latter
would work more rapidly, though no less
dreadfully. Absinthe kills, but does moi
kill at once-it murders by degrees, and
ruins the mind as well as the body. All
medical men and experienced observers
agree that absinthe, used to excess, acts di.
rectly upon the nerve centers and especial
ly upon the brain. 1t produces stupor, pal
sy, epilepsy, madness. 1t will make the
strongest man lunatic in two years and
has been known to make lunatic in far
less time. II first stimulates and then mar
cotizes, stupefes, deadens the faculties, in
tellectual and physical. The absinthe slave
pays dearly for his pleasure. For an ex-
hilaraton he undergoes depression and re-
ally agonizing torpor for days, loses the
command of bis thoughts and his limbs
and ohen bursts forth into maniacal fren-
~, which seems to be, as it were, the wild
protest alike of mind and body against the
slavery which is imposed upon them. Dur