New-York tribune., 1918-05-16
Take Kick Out Of Whiskey, Says
Chemist, to End Alcohol Problem

process obtaining this elimination.
natural laws, which are unaccount-
able but nevertheless absolute and in
vloiable, must be observed and obeycd.
Elements composing raw alcohol
nave their own boiling points, all diff
lering from one another.
That OF pure ethyl alcohol, repre-
sehtang the main product. is at 172.4
degrees Fahr., while, for instance, the
boiling point of amyl alcohol, otherwise
named "fusel OIL" is at 2696 degrees
rahr.; OF "furfor oil" at 32l.S degrees
fahr. The latter two both belong to
the class of by-products which are the
worst enemies Of mankind
Fractional redistillation, which is 81
mechanical process. gradually raises
the temperature of raw alcohol. and
IN the ascending heating course. as
soon as each alcohol and other volatile
boiling points they escape from the
mass one after the other as vapor and
condense as liquid.
Only with this process, under proper
guidance, ethyl alcohol, at the strength
of 100 proof and upward, is easily
separated and segregated from the
oy-products. which, by reason of their
poisonous nature, contaminate it if
mixed herewith
~ ieioie, III Oruer TO make scien-
tnfically fit those liquors produced nv
simple distillaton, they must rieor-
cusly be submitted to the subscouent
fractional redistillation, by which they
are separated from the by-products,
leaving only ethyl ms their pure aIco-
holic strength. diluted to the desired
standard proof.
On the other hand, by-products. run
nlhg IN an appropriate 'cistern room,"
should be used exclusively as de-
ratured alcohol, adding denaturing
substances to render them practically
unht for human consumption. De-
natured alcohol, as is we'll known, has
unlimited and remuncrative markets
tor ammunition in general, heating
and Tor many other manufactures in
the industrial field.
My book, entitled "The Main Source
OF Alcoholism in the United States and
Suggested Remedial Legislation" scien-
tihcally discloses how and wherein the
evil resides and points out its remedy.
:. In the most simple and practical way
1t suggests Federal or state legislation
to prevent the use of the harmful by-
products in certain kinds Of beverages
SO noxiously produced.
The alcohol problem has never he
lore been considered here from this
scientific viewpoint. but especially in
this great psychological moment it
should be discussed by the last word
OF science, supported by the indisDuta-
Bile facts above referred to.
France and Russia have abolished
absinthe and vodka, respectively; but
the United States, and even England.
should Danish forever the poisonous
by-products in distilled liquors.
By-products represent the most DOW
erful enemy and the greatest danger Of
the human race. They have no reason
to exist as beverages Their insidious
and baneful nature creates an ever in
creaslng thirst and quick intoxication.
They are the cause Of habit-generating
intemperance and consequent alcohol
ism.
On the other hand, allowing exclu-
ssively those distilled liquors the alco-
holic strength Of which is pure. such
fermented beverages as beer and wine
could be permitted, for their moderate
use is scientifically admitted to be
harmless and frequently beneficial,
possessing, together with ethyl, other
substances undoubtedly healthful and
nutritious. A. DE TOCATIlS.