The Washington times., 1901-10-13
new FORM OF BLINDNESS
The Dangers Resulting From
Drinking Wood Alcohol.
Prominenf Local OcuIist Discusses
the Question Before District Medi-
cal Society--Advisabilit of List
ing the Fluid as Poison.


At the meeting of the Medical Society OF
the District of Columbia last Wedne esday
evening much interest was manifested in
the reading and discussion of paper on
''Methyl, or Wood Alcohol, as a Cause OF
Blindness-Should 1t Be Placed on the
List of Poisons?', by DR.. Burnett 1t
appears from the paper and the discus
sion which followed its reading that with
in the last two or three years there have
been quite a large number of cases re-
ported, particularly in the journals spe-
cially devoted to diseases of the eye, in
which blindness, either complete or near
ly so, has followed the injection of wood
alcohol. These cases all have a wonder
ful similarity in their histories.
In from twelve to fOrty-eight hours
after the taking of the alcohol there is a
sudden blindness, usually complete, asso-
ciated sometimes, if the dose has been a
large one, with other symptoms such as
nausea, vomiting. dizziness, unconscious
ness, and in not a few instances, death
The amount of the alcohol necessary TO
produce these symptoms varies. In some
cases as little as a tablespoonful has
caused blindness. AS is generally known
methyl alcohol is made by a distillation
of wood, as distinct from that from the
distillation of grain, and is chemically
different from the latter. 1t has many of
the properties of the grain alcohol, how
ever, in so far as it is a stimulant, sol
vent of gums and resins, and is used fe-
burning in alcohol lamps.
As there is no revenue tax on it, ii is
much cheaper than grain alcohol, being.
only IS cents per gallon, whereas grain
alcohol costs s2.45 a gallon. The ordinary
commercial form has a very disagreeable
odor and taste which tends to prevent its
being taken Internally except by dipso-
maniacs when they are not able to get
their customary stimulant. But there is
rectitied form known as Columbian
spirit, which is almost entirely free from
these disa agreeable properties. 1t has,
moreover. been discovered that some un-
scrupulous manufacturers least one
firm in a neighbOring city that is known
of-have used this Columbian spirit as u
substitute for grain alcohol in the manu-
facturt of the various esseEces which are
consumed in every household-Such as
Jamaica ginger, essence of peppermint,
vanilla, etc.
Quite a number of cases of blindness
after the drinking of these essences have
been put on record, and the blindness in
one of the three cases that had fallen
under the observation of the esSayist was
caused by drinking of essence of Jamaica
ginger by an old topper " no found himself
in prohibition community and. not being
able to get alcohol in any other form,
drank quite lot of esse nee of Jamaica
ginger which he procured at country
store. On recovering from his spree he
founu himself totally blind. In another OF
the cases reported in the paper a man
had asked druggist for some alcohol for
a pain in his stomach. The druggist told
him he had none but the kind TO NIB
on and sold him ten cents worth with
no warning as to the danger Of taking it
inwardly. He rubbed il on but not feel
ing relief. put about tablespoonful in
some water and swallowed IT,
In three days ne was blind and has re-
mainod so ever since.
So far nothing has been found to check
the morbid process when IL has once be-
gun or to bring back the wasted optic
nerve to its normal power. The unfor-
tunate victims are permanently blind.
Acute intOXiCation from grain alcohol
does not produce blindness. Wood aico-
hol is consumed very largely in this coun-
try, being used in the handicraftS as a
solvent for shellacs and varnishes and
for burning purposes. II can be procured
In any quantity by anyone at any drug
store, paint shop, or even grocery store,
and there is no law regulation which
requires that it be labeled poisonous or
even dangerous. There is no desire to re-
strict the sale of wood alcohol for its le-
Ultimate use but the Medical Society in
It's capacity of conserver of the public
health has taken deep interest in the
matter of this danger TO the people from
subtle foe and has referred the es-
say to its committee on public health to
formulate some action looking to a regu-
lation of it's sale and requiring some
warning as to its great danger; and in
the meantime has by resolution asked the
public press to aid in this endeaVor
knowledge of the great dangers of this
agent when taken int rually