Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-06-13
JAMAICA GINGER DRUNKARDs.
Startling Statements Concerning the
Prevalence of the Habit.

Prevalence of the Habit.
A somewhat peculiar case was tried
before Judge Sherman in the Superior
Civil Court at Deadham, Mass, weel
or so ago. William ii. Dolle, grocer,
was arraigned on the complaint OF Hen
nv H. Faxon for violating the liquor
law, the offense specially charged being
the sale of Jamaica ginger rs an intoxi-
cant. 1t appeared from the evidence
that the defendant had been doing q
rushing business in this article, his sales
at retail at times reaching two cases a
week. One customer, woman, was
cited in particular as consuming inor-
dinate quantities of this article. it being
stated that she had in one instance been
known to purchase two bottles during
the dry.
1t was alleged by the prosecution that
this demand for Jamaica ginger was not
of a medicinal origin, and that many Of
the grocer's patrons were Jamaica ginger
drunkards, n species of inebriates by no
means uncommon. State Assayer Sharp
les was put ON the stand and testified
that the jamaica ginger sold by Dobie
was pretty good jamaica ginger as
SOtog bht IT, NAC"eSes
something of n sensation when he
furthermore added that it contained
90 and fraction thereof per cent. of al
cohol, but per cent. being purely
Jamaica ginger extract, and the balance
water. Ordinary grades Of whisky, he
said, did not contain over 90 per cent.
of alcohol, so, according TO expert testi-
mony, Jamaica ginger was more of an
intoxicant than the common run Of
tanglefoot.
The Jamaica ginger, moreover, not
only served to increase the strength OF
the alcohol, but when the whole was
used as "a habitual beverage had AN
effect upon the stomach that was PERM
cious to n superlative degree. Lawyer
John +. Eldridge, counsel for the dc.
PENDANT, was not abashed by this ex-
pert evidence, and asked that the court
instruct the jury that his client could
not be convicted, MS he had sold simply
Jamaica ginger, which was not bower
age but medicine, whereas hc WIS
charged with selling intoxicating
liquor. Tho court refused TO rule rs re
quested, but told the jury that it was n
question of fact that they were called
upon to consider and not law, and they
were to decide whether or not it was in
toxicating liquor.
That portion Of the statute defining
Intoxicating liquors was read rs follows;
''All porter, strong beer. lager beer.
cider, all wines aud any beverages CON
tanning more than three per cent. of alco-
hol by volume at GO deg. Fahrenheit, as
well as distilled spirits, shall be deemed
to be intoxicating liquors within the
meaning of this chapter" After being
out some hours the jury disagreed and
was discharged, and the much mocted
question in Dedham, OF whether or not
Jamaicn ginger is an intoxicating liquor
remains undecided But this case will
serve to draw attention to
large number Of people who have be-
come addicted to its habitual use other
than as medicine.
1t is said by medical authorities that
those who have once contracted the
habit of using it as n beverage find
themselves afflicted with craving of
whose intensity none but sufferer can
form the slightest conception. The de-
leterious effects OF the ginger when con-
stantly taken into the stomach is sufii
cient to render the habit fatal in very
short time. In fact il is ono of the
most dangerous forms of inebriety
known. 1t has found but few victims
in large cities where stimulants are casl-
ly obtained, but in the rural districts
where prohibition is in force it is said to
have filled many graves. 81 Boston Tray
eler.