The evening times., 1896-03-10
ing been used extensively by the latter as

| ing been used extensively by the latter as
medicine.
The pure calisaya tonic. or extract OF
cinchOna, contains about IL per cent al
cOhol, almost three times as much as beer.
1t is largely made up. too, of quinine, and
| by the time one Is intoxicated by the
| alcohol. the immense amount of quinine
he has absorbed pene,rates and poisons
| his system. II is powerful stimulant,
and the druggists sell a great deal of it.
| Although 1T goes on. The sale of calisaya
as beverage, no matter how diluted,
| is contrary to law, according TO 4 recent
| decision of Judge Miller of the police
court. An unlicensed bar case was tried
before him few weeks ago, and the
liquor sold was caIisaya tonic
An analysis OF the liquid was obtained
from Chemist Hird OF the health office
before the case was tried. and it showed
that it contained 4 per cent pure alcohol.
The defendant was convicted OF selling in
toxica,ing liquors without a license. and
Judge Miller announced that such sales by
drug stores were Illegal.
PECAN, THE
Perhaps tue most powerful stimulant sold
under the guse of tonic is pecan, of which
a Ninth street druggist sold, until recently,
enormous quantities. The effect of mod
crate dose of this liquid was instantaneous,
but its use became SO general and the re-
suits so disastrous TO the fends' that
the proprietor was at last forced to give
up the sale.
This il also South American tonic, al
though the tree from which ii is extracted
grows to some extent in Texas. 1t is a
species of American hickory and the fruit
or nut is used very largely in this part
of the country. The inside of the Isut shell
has an exceedingly bitter taste and the
tonic has d very similar flavor although
the alcohol used in its extraction gives IL
an oran ngc taste. Ii rs sickeningly sweet. as
well as exceedingly bitter, and a taste for
it mu ST be cultivated.
Coca-cola is Il proprietary tonic that is
sold quite extensively. In fact, nearly
every drug store that has Il soda fountain
sells the preparation. 1t is not as po werful
as either pecan or calsaya. but if taken
in sufficient quantities Will produce an ex-
hilaration, followed by a weli-developed
heada che.
A PENNSYLVANIA avenue druggist has a
tonic preparation of his own that is sold
under the proprietor's name. It's COM
poncnt parts are kept secret, but 1t is
vegetable extract, iii the preparation OF
which alcohol figures largely, and its ef-
feet is very much the same rs the others
He has made Il small fortune from its sale
alone. In fact the sale of tonics in drug
stores is frequently the most rcmunerative
part OF the business.
Besides tho tonics that are sold to be
drunk ut the soda counter there are a number
of preparations sold in bottles that are quite
as Intoxicating. Vim Mariana. Vino-kola-
fra. Hostctter's BitterS and a number of
other wines and eliNers sold as tonics are
very Intoxicating and produce disastrous
effects if indulgcd in 100 freely.
HABIT Is INCREASING.
Reformed drunkar,ls are the best patrons
of the drug store bars. and are delighted to
find Il temperance drink that affects them
the same as whisky. The temperance man,
too. whose boast is that he does not know
the taste of whisky, is frequently Il good
customer aud. while he may not possess
the same craving for rexhiiarationas the man
who was once n drnkcr, lie gets it just the |
same in these tonicS. The increase of the |
tonic habit in Washington is almost in |
credible.
The propriet or of q downtown drug store, !
where a quantity of the stuff is sold. told a I
Times reporter. however, that. as it was sold ]
over the soda counter. the tonic was not in !
toxicating.
THE tonic is drunk from Il mineral glass |
that holds about eight ounces. About an !
ounce of the pure elixer is poured into the |
glass and il is then filled up with plain soda |
water. This reduces the alcohol in the |
tlr;nl- IN ahout 4 p,,r cont
Don't they Frequently ask, though,
10 have ii made strong"
Yes; and, OF course, If they need il that
way VIC give it TO ITEM
DO you think the tonic you sell is
Trunk for its medicinal qualities, or for
he stimulating effect of the aloobol?''
For its medicinal qualities, undoubt-
,dly. 1t is used. as its name indicates,
o tone up the system"
Notwithstanding these statements, the
cportcr concluded from his obscrvat lens |
ind other interviews that the tonic fiend
5 looking not so much for the medicinal
properties in calisaya and other toEics
S for the cXhlaratiDs effect. Nearly every !
nan whom he saw purchase. the tonic |
skcd that it be made strong, and several
ook a half glussful of the drink without
my water whatever.
''Thc effect on the system of these tonics
when the use of them is abused is worse
han whisky" said a physician "A man
yho has sworn Off should never take toBies
IS q substitute. I have had several cases
4 nervous proStra:ion resulting from the
of the tonic habit