Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-09-12
A DEVILS Broth.

A late number of the New York
Times has an editorial article which
we wish could be read by every per.
son that drinks or desires to drink
intoxicating liquors. 1t is tue that
most Of those who resort to the bars
Of hotels and saloons are incredulous
as to the nature Of the stuff there
sold them, and many are so far gone
as to be Indifferent to it. Poison or
no poison is all the same, provided
the intoxicating effect is gained.
But to the young and those who have
lsassssestAabtot their lie and health,
q knowledge OF the facts ought to be
welcome. They also who believe the
liquor business ought to be licensed
and even bring in a large revenue to
the city or town that grants the
license, may be helped to right views
on the subject by reliable informa-
ton Of what it is that is to be sold.
To all such we commend the above
article OF tie Times. 1t is based on
book designed to teach saloon
keepers how they can adulterare
liquors tor themselves, and thus
share the profits which now so 10
the wholesale dealers and rectiiiers.
One Of the most common of the
ingredients mentioned in these mix
tures Is what is known as strum es-
sence.' This essence is a mixture
of sulphuric acid, black oxide Of
manganese, pyroligneous acid, acetic
ether, bulyric ether. and oil of fbirch.
In preparing low grades of so called
"rye" and "bourbon" whiskies,
bourbon oil and rye oil are used.
Bourbon oil is distilled from a COM
pound OF fusel oil, acetate of potash,
sulphuric acid, sulphate of copper,
oxalate OF ammonium, and black
oxide of manganese. Rye oil is dis
titled from a mixture of fusel oil,
@nanthic ether, chloroform, sulphu-
ric acid, and chlorate Of potash.
1t would be impossible to mention
all the various coils and Hacids"
and drugs of all sorts used in COM
pounding the different grades of
whisky, bourbon and rye. Many of
the drugs are violent poisons. Sui
phuric acid, which is largely used,
when swallowed in concentrated
form, destroys all tissues it touches.
Sulphate of copper, another favorite
bar-room drug, is deadly poison, and |
oxalic acid is even more violent and
- - ra4--,tcous III It's -dcClUII. Inc oil |
Of bitter almonds, an ingredient Of |
apple brandy, is well known for its
poisonous qualities. Other drugs
are only slow poisons, de-
the nerves and gradually
exhaustlng and running the diges-
tive organs. In some of the mix
tures only twenty-five per cent. of
genuine spirits is used, the remainder
being prune juice, fusel oil, etc. A
receipt is given for making black
berry brandy, "a superior article"
a trace Of blackberry in it.
The bar keeper who understands bis
profession" thoroughly is enabled
% place before his customers Scotch
whisky, Holland gin, French brandy,
Jamaica rum, or any other drink
with foreign name that may suit
heir taste or fancy, simply by tex
porting" oils and acids from the near
est drug store. OF course the chief
object Of all this adulteration is to in
crease the profits. A skillful COM
onation Of drugs, with slight dash
# real spirits, costing altogether
rom s1.50 to S2.00a gallon, is re-
allied out so as to net the dealer a
,roiit Of $500 and $500, or four and
i've hundred per cent. The author
# the book from which this inter
sting formation is taken SAYS the
Methods and receipts are all given
" one who has been in that line of
BUSINESS for many years, and they
re those in general use at the pres
mt time.