The Osceola times., 1881-03-12
POTATO BRANDY.
Peasants Destroying Themselves with This
Poison.


/ A recent article in Ners from Gerplany
and Switzerland gives an account of the
spread in the whisky pest. Complaints
are coming in from different parts of
| Germany, Austria aud switzerland in re-
gard TO the rapid increase in the con-
sumption of whisky, and the consequent
| civil disturbances and physical injury TO
{ the working classes. In the north and
east Of Germany, where the enjoyment
of a good glass of whisky is not TO be OBJ
| iected to, the worst kind of potato
whisky has displaced the corn whisky,
that is, the latter has on account of the
unsatisfactory harvest risen so greatly
in value that poorly paid workingmen
can not afford to buy it; but the North
German holders of large estates provide
the most 'liberal' way "a poor mans
drink for at a nominally low rate they
produce potato brandy, of which even
the poorest workman can buy more than
is good for him. Especially in Upper
Silesia the whisky pest secured foot
hold, which is evidenced by numerous
newspaper reports. One paper states
that on November lst, number of men
were indulging in whisky to liberal ex-
tent at popular resort. One of them
drank so heartily that in short time he
was unable to stand up. \ vehicle was
procured and the man placed upon it. 4
number of men. all under the influence
of whisky, cndeavored to take him
home. Sundry Interruptions occurred
and the vehicle was upset and fell on
the drunken man. As bridge was
reached the wagon vas again upset, and
I II, l,.,, at 20, ,,lana thn tn.Dnoainpc
man on seat, the entire party fell from
the bridge and on top Of their companion.
After unlimited trouble the man was got
home. The next day he complained of
abdominal pain, and Notwithstanding
good medical attendance he died on
November Sth. At the post-mortem ex-
animation no less than six broken ribs
were discovered, injuries sustained while
while being carried home.
In South Germany, especially in the
Rhein region, has the indulgence in
schnapps greatly increased, a. the own
ers of the vineyards can no longer
furnish wine to their employees, and but
little has been secured from the German
vineyards, while the high duty pre-
cludes the importation of any cheap
foreign wines. Hardly any fruit wines
were obtained during the past year, and
none will be secured for several years,
Cor during the past year great proper
tion of the fruit trees were destroyed by
the cold. \ number of years will elapse
err the damage is repaired. Mean
while the consumption of whisky will
increase.
The situation is sad one in Switzer-
land also. Swiss physicians have asked
that the allowance of drink to the
soldiers be diminished The decrease
in the size of the Swiss as race, as
compared with former times, and the
light muscle of the rising generation, is
wholly attributed TO the consumption of
whisky. A physician recently said that
as long rs spirits were not removed from
the workmen's tables, and the milkcan
did not resume its former place, so long
would the people retrograde, and give
place to another race that whould be
less bold, venturesome and enterprising,
and more easily contented. Another
cause for complaint was found in the
fact that many workmen openly de-
clared that they would rather endure
the pangs of eternal punishment than
work at the present low rate of wages.
This feeling and the large consumption
of whisky We're together the cause of
the alarming situation. Is it the fault of
the government or the employer that
the Swiss workmen is unable TO do the
work that is done to a large extent by
Italians? While the German or Swiss
is obliged to incur debt on such wages,
the Italian lays money aside.