The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-11-03

wood alcohol within comparatively short period. ,s~
 The fact also must be borne in mind that many physicians are unacquaint- ed with the symptoms of wood alcohol poisoning and that the fatalities occur ring from its use which have come un- der their observation were not reeord- ed as such.
 Poisoning by wood alcohol, to those who have had any experience in cases of this description, is unmistakable. The most distinguishing feature is that it attacks the eye directly and with pe- culiar virulence. In severe cases when death does not ensue total blindness is an almost invariable sequence.
 Wood alcohol poisoning is also char acterized by the fact that wtil eeom- paratively small doses. will injuriously affect some individuals. others are ap- parently no more injured by much larger doses than if they had drunk the same quantity of grain alcohol.
 Among the conclusions arrived at by Drs. Butler and Wood are the follow ing: That the prevention of poisoning by this insidious drug can be brought about only by prohibiting the sale of deodorized wood alcohol in all it's forms. The number of deaths may in the meantime be limited by putting all methylated preparations on the list of poisons and prosecuting all persons adulterating foods and drinks with it. Labelling preparations containing wood alcohol with the notice, This fluid taken internally is likely to pro- duce blindness would certainly have a deterrent effect.
 Poisoning by inhalation of the fumes of wood alcohol generally occurs when the exhalations are mixed with re- breathed air, as in vanishing the inte- rior of beer yats, small rooms, etc. It is highly probable that in susceptible subjects repeated, or even single, me- thylated alcohol rubs may produce poi sonous symptoms through absorption of the spirit by the skin.
 Chronic or partial poisoning from wood alcohol taken in the shape of nips of methylated Jamaica ginger, bay rum, punch, 8c., is the most insidious and probably not an uncommon form of intoxication. Its symptoms are not so pronounced nor so easy of recogni- tion as in the acute form, but the eyes, digestive apparatus and nervous sys- tems undoubtedly suffer.
 The adulteration of whiskey or other spirits with wood alcohol is a grave evil, and one that should be stopped promptly, these physicians say. But the manufacture or adulteration of fla vori1lg essences, internal remedies and preparations for external use with wood alcohol is an even worse form of poisoning.
 A person may buy a medicinal reme- dy with the hope that it will do him good, and may be either killed or bind ed. Again, in the case of individuals susceptible to the effects of the poison. the application of witch hazel or bay rum containing wood alcohol after shaving, the rubbing in of a linfment or or alcohol, may, by means of absorp- ton or by it's fumes, result in grave ir- jury to health.
 The cheapness of wood alcohol has tempted certain interruptions or ignor- ant manufacturers to substitute it for grain alcohol, and this circumstance constitutes grave menace to the pub lie health. Until laws are enforced to restrict the use of wood alcohol to it's proper limits, some physicians think, it would be prudent not to buy cheap li- quors, cheap unidentified proprietary articles and unidentified grades of witch hazel and bay rum which have no standard of strength or quality or to use any remedy, internal or external, in which there is even the suspicion that it may contain wood alcohol.
 This may seem an exaggerated view to take of the matter, but in considera- ton of the happenings recently in Tenth avenue, and the belief that in the neighborhood of four hundred deaths and cases of total blindness have been the outcome of persons un- suspiciously taking wood alcohol in one form or another, 1t must be admitted that the situation calls for prudence. A person who buys preparation for internal use, or for external use, like witch hazel or bay rum. does 90 in the faith that the stuff will at least do him no harm. Unfortunately, he is to a great extent at the mercy of the Tnanu- facturers and retailers
 Finally, it may be said that the treatment of severe wood alcohol in- toxication is unsatisfactory. This con- dition usually ends in death or blind- ness. The treatment of the blindness in particular. is of little avail.
 As evidence of the great concern manifested in the question by the med- ical profession at large of this country, resolutions were adopted by the sec tion of aphthalnlology. at the last meeting of the American Medical asso- citation, held in June of this year, to the effect that the employment of wood all cohol in spirituous liquors, or in prepa- rations for internal or external use, was a very dangerous practice, and should be prevented by law, and that it was advisable to have wood alcohol placed on the list of poisons. The res olutions were placed in charge of the committee on legislation of the Ameri- can Medical association, who were in structed to urge the proper federal and state authorities to take action in the matter.-New York Sun.
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