New Britain herald., 1930-03-18
GINGER PARALYSIS
 CASES ARE PROBED
One of Hartford Victims Shows
 Acute Pain Present

Hartford. March IS [P - Some form of alcoholic neuritis' caused by some poisonous drug being in cluded in the manufacture of the compound of Jamaica ginger, was believed by physicians at the Mu- nicipal hospital today to be the ulalady whihc has paralyzed three men now under observation there.
 Their afflction is distinguished from the usual cases of this kind by virtue of the fact that the symp- toms are definitely localized and do not render the entire legs and arms of the victim incapable of motion as is usually the case. The men arc paralyzed from the ankle down, all of themuscles of the feet being risidly contracted as 10 prevent mo- tion.
 Roland Stannard, 2t, was said this morning to be the most serl- ously afflicted of the group. Hospi- tai attaches said that he complained today of severe pains around the joints and from observation appear cd to be suffering intensely.
 Others Make Progress
 He groaned unintelligibly in his bed at the hospital muttering ira tionally to himself. The other two. Thomas F. Smith, 60, and John Parry, 54, were reported to be mak- ing slight progress toward recovery. Each of them was able 10 Wigglo his toes a little but hardly enough to warrant any optimism as regards their immediate improvement.
 It was the opinion of physicians that it would be some time before the men ere recovered sufficiently to leave the hospital.
 It was matter of conjecture at the hospital today whether the Jamaica ginger" was too potent for consumption for the men or if 1t had been purchased from sources which had acquired the product from manufacturers who were using impure alcohol in it's production.
 The men were buying some form of ginger and mixing it with cider or water, IL was stated.
 Before any active steps will be taken to check up on the sources of supply, federal prohibition agents under the direction of Robert l.. Sengle, deputy prohibition adminis- trator for Connecticut, were seek ing today to discover just what the nature of the liquid was that the men drank.
 Mir. Sengle pointed out that under the regulations of the treasury de- partment, bureau of prohibition Jamaica ginger and essence of ginger are classified as being it for beverage purposes and can only be sold, manufactured or transported under permit.
 Drinking "FIuid of Ginger
 "On the other hand, fluid of gin ger by its very nature so strong as to be taken in very small doses as d medicine, is chased as unfit for beverage purposes and may there fore be sold without a permit.
 'It is my opinion that it is this slatter that the boys are drinking he said.
 MT. Stensle stated that the fluid extract of ginger as distinguished from its other forms, has an alco- holic content of approximately so per cent. This high percentage Of alcohol together with the concen- trated ginger makes q very powerful drink. he stated.
 Policeman Thomas c. Farrell of the liquor squad said that the local police were handicapped in their ef- forts to prevent its widespread use among the more derelict classes as the state pharmacy board issued licenses to storekeepers to carry the stuff According to regulation it.. is only to be sold in package form.
 Bay Rum." he claimed, was also used in a concoction to produce eff fleets similar to those generally as sociated with spurious liquors.