VICTIMS OF ALCOHOLISM

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 6

VICTIMS OF ALCOHOLISM

THE METHYLATED SPIRITS HABIT.

Disclosures at a recent inquest at Christchurch have directed public at tentiou to tho prnetico of drinking methylated spirits as a substitute !«r alcoholic beverages. 11 is stated that this practico is increasing, especially iu I'™' "£ districts, and among persons subject to Prohibition orders, and ihe results aia held to be deplorable in the «*««"»• There lias long been trouble about metlijlilted spirits, and in 19U7 an Act was passed to step the practice ot pun yiug ;' 0 spirit by eliminating the naphina »W is added loinatc u «ni'»«t»Wo. ™>» practice had been resorted •« >> manufacturers of toilet prepan l < .>, out it '-wears that some victims "1 the ai.o,\l < ■!■■l'vin- will grcedilv swallow mctliy. lafeli spiHt D ihat has not undergone any 'uitisratMiu* process. , . . , The lion." G. laurenson has been lookillß into lho matter, and h? explained "sienbiv that methylated spirits consists of spirits of wine charged with woo* naphtha ami mineral naphtha. Roughly sneaking, the process means the mixture of UK) gallons of spirits ot wine with U callous of wood naphtha and three, pints of mineral naphtha. Tno Customs Deinrtl'icnt now proposes to mix 300 gallons oi' spirits of wine with 11 gallons of wood naphtha and I pint* of pyridine. . "When that is done," Mr. Laurenson added', "it will render methylated spirits absolutely unpalatable to even the most degenerate beast in the community."