Connecticut western news., 1885-07-29
ABSENTEE AS A BEVERAGE
The Deadly Drink Growing
 in Popularity,
A Pastors Fruitless Struggle Against
 the Seductive French Liquor

He bore the indescribable air of man who had "put in the night" and ex- hibited a restless impatience in wait ing on the pleasure of the bartender. His order when given was almost whispered, accompanied by signi6- cant nod. The bartender took an or dinary sized flask from the shelf behind him, and picking up a tiny spiral glass, holding about drachm, carefully filled 1t. This glass in turn was emptied into an ordinary wine glass filled with water. On the top of the compound greenish scum accum- ulated, which was carefully removed with a spoon. The beverage was then handed to the customer, who eagerly gulped it down, and paying the charges left the room. In answer to question from the reporter, the bar tender said the drink was absinthe, a French liquor, which is rapidly grow ing into popularity in this country. In answer to a query as to the amount drank in Wheeling, the bartender answered that the calls for either that particular beverage, or any other fancy drink of kindred nature, were comparatively few, straight drinks having tenacious grip on the appe- tite of the greater portion of our Wheeling people.
 Later in the day the reporter met prominent young physician, and find ing him at leisure secured the follow ing information in reference to the origin of the liquor: Absinthe is pre- pared by pounding the leaves and towering tops of various species of worm wood along with angelica root sweet flag root and staranise fruit, and macerating these in alcohol. After soaking for eight days the com- pound is distilled, yielding an emerald colored liquor, to which quantity of anise oil is added. The liquor thus formed constitutes the genuine French absinthe.
 An inferior quality of absinthe is made with other herbs and essential oils, while the adulterations practised are numerous and deleterious. In the adulterated liquor the green color Is usually produced by tumeric and indi- go. but blue vitriol is often commonly used. The vareities especially noted in comm zee are divided into two clssses, the common and the Swiss, the latter being genuine. The chief seat of its manufacture is in the can ton of Neufchatel, in Switzerland. The liquors are chiefly consumed in France, but there is also large quantities exported to this country. In addition to the large quantities manufactured in France for home consumption, the amount imported from Switzerland averages 100000 gallons yearly. The drinking of absinthe was introduced in France during the Algerian war 1844-1847. The soldiers were advised to mix absinthe with their wine as a febrifuge. On their return they brought with them the habit of drink ing it, which is now so widely dissem- mated in French society, and with such disastrous consequences that the custom is justly considered a great national evil. The appetite is often formed by prescriptions given by phy- sicians, as the drug is often given as a tonic for datulent dyspepsia; but in my opinion there is as little danger of man forming the habit if he is pos sessed of ordinary self control as that if a prescription of brandy should cause him to become habitual drunk. ard. The powerful nature of the stimulant is such that excessive drink. ing will prove far more deleterious than the use of brandy or strong whis-
 keys. In excessive drinking there is first the feeling of exaltation peculiar to state of intoxication. The in
 creasing dose necessary to create this effect destroys the digestive organs and consequently the appetite of the
 victim.
 An appeasable thirst follows, with giddiness, tingling in the ears, halluci. nation of the sight and hearing, con-
 stant mental oppression and anxiety loss of~ brain power and eventually idiocy. The symptoms in the case oi a tippler commence with muscular
 quiverings and decrease of physical strength, the hair drops off and tho victim becomes emaciated, wrinkled and sallow, horrible dreams and delu
 sions constantly haunt the unfortunate and are followed by paralysis which lands him in his grave.
 There have been several instances in this city that came under my view
 of ladies who are slaves of.this habit
 One in particular Is fast breaking down under the steady drain on hel physical+ forces. She is> wealthy, ans has several times been treated with [
 view toward relieving her of the spec . Ire which haunts her, but the attempts 2 haVe3been unsuccessful. as her !. vii power is completely gone. There | : an.instance;T too, of an old gentleman infthis city who seyeraIsTks>sk5 ssss;;
 began khe.habit. andkc0nstantly toYH,