The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-19
USES AND ABUSES
OF WOOD ALCOHOL

amount drunk. The result would have
been unpleasant. a grocer could not
know when a careless servant might
imbibe too freely of wood alcohol and be
in the hands of the coroner few hours
later.
John w. Jennings. a druggist near Mr..
Magruder. on Connecticut Avenue, who
fills some of the orders sent TO the
former, spoke Of the danger of using
wood alcohol. Several cases of death
from its use internally had come to his
knowledge
Death IN the Fluid
He believed that anyone who drank it
took his life in his hands. He had
known cases of blindness resulting from
it. The greatest danger was. however,
from its extreme infiamma bility. 1t
could not be safe anywhere near fire.
Left unsupported in room even for {
few minutes it would vitiate the air to
the point of creating an explosion If a
match was struck. Mr.. Jennings was
careful to learn what use 1t was in
tended for before he would sell it. He
was of the opinion that its general use
ought TO be discouraged, and its sale
put under rigid restrictions.
DR.. c. A. Champion, division chief of
the Bureau of Internal Revenue, spoke
of the dangers of wood alcohol as a
beverage and an illuminant. He said
the chemical experts of his Office had
given much attention to wood alcohol.
It's dangers, taken internally, had been
much exaggerated When pure, this
form of alcohol was not more danger
Gus than grain alcohol. While the toxic
effects of the one as compared with the
other had never been defnitively set
tied he said the wood alcohol. known as
the Columbian Spirit. and some other
brands, could be taken in small quanti-
ties without much danger
Tariff to Blame.
DR.. Champions attention was called
to reports of cases where men had be-
come blind from the use of Jamaica
ginger made Of wood alcohol. He said
it was not absolutely proved that it was
the alcohol which caused atrophy of
the optic nerve and the death of those
who drank Jamaica ginger and other
cordials. He did not doubt the results
reported, but questioned the cause
DR.. Champion explained how wood al
cohol happened to be about two-thirds
cheaper than grain alcohol In the tariff
laws there has been high import duty
on grain alcohol, while wood alcohol is
free. That was the chief reason for
its cheapness. The most effectual way
TO stop the use of wood alcohol would be
to take off the duty on the other safer
commodity.
DR.. Champion described the process of
the manufacture of cheap whisky by
combining alcohol with sugar, fusil oil,
and other havors. Sometimes, he said,
portion of the ingredients would be
cask-cured whisky. His observation led
him 10 the conclusion that the major
part of the whisky drunk was the va
riety made of alcohol. sugar, ETC. These
compounds need not be more poisonous
than cask-cured liquor, but the tempta-
ton to use inferior alcohol and high
wines was so strong that the so-called
"40-rod whisky" was about as sure TO
kill as any poison on the market.
Interest in the Subject.
DR.. Champion said wood alcohol prob
ably entered into the manufacture of
some of the whistles. though it would sc
necessary TO use the best grade on &C
count o: the odor which it would be diff
fcult TO conceal in the cheaper brands.
DR.. Champion would not say hat whisky
thus made was more dangerous to drink
than that made of grain alcohol.
The matter acquires interest in many
ways. 1t was the subject of one investi-
cation by Congress, and has worried
every committee that has framed tariff
bill for the past fifteen years. The re-
suit OF the consideration of the ques-
ton by the Corporation Counsel will
have far-reaching effects, If the supply
Of wood alcohol is to be cut off from
the chatting dishes of the District OF
Columbia.