Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-07-22


glass filled with water. On the top of
the compound greenish scum accum-
ulated, which was carefully removed
with spoon. The beverage was then
handed to the customer, who eagerly
gulped it down, and paving 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 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 appc-
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 tlmerc and indi-
go, but blue vitriol is often commonly
used. The varieties especially noted
in commerce 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 NeufchateI, 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
1Si4-lS47. The soldiers were advised
to mix absnthe with their wine rs 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 great
national evil. The appetite is often
formed by prescriptions given by ply
sicians, as the drug is often given rs a
tonic for aatulent 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 a habitual drunk
ard. The power ful 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 a state Of intoxication. The in.
creasiDg 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 of
a tippler commence with muscular
quiverings and decrease of physical
strength. the hair drops off and the
victim becomes emacated, wTinkled
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 her
physical forces. She is wealthy, and
has several times been treated with a
view toward relieving her of the spec
tire which haunts her, but the attempts
have been unsuccessful. AS her will
power is completely gone There is
an instance, too, of an old gentleman
in this city, who several years ago
began the. habit and constantly toyed