The Feilding Star THURSDAY, SEPT. 22, 1892. The Gold Cure

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 41, 22 September 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star THURSDAY, SEPT. 22, 1892. The Gold Cure

* The so-called " gold cure " has been considered at a meeting of the Society for the study of Inebriety and the result was unfavourable to the supposed remedy. It was shown that the first " cure " was one which was dispensed by a Frenchman on the shores of the Mediterranean, and was found to contain fourteen different drugs. Then came the double chloride of gold cure, while another drug remedy had

only to be swallowed unconsciously by the patient for him to be cured in spite of himself. If the "gold cure" was a really genuine American temnerance remedy, it ought to have the approval of men who were identified with the great temperance movement in the United States, but such approval has not been accorded. Analysis had detected atrophine, strychnine, etc., and the bitter contained in it was chiretta. There was 51*31 per cent of water; sugar, 6 per cent, and a small quantity of mineral salts, probably lime. The complete analysis found no gold and no chlorides. The strange part was that among those who lauded the medicine to the skies were old teetotallers, yet it was found to contain 27*55 per cent of alcohol. The compound had been condemned by the whole reputable medical press of America, and one journal said the alleged remedy was opposed to the whole principle of an enduring temperance reformation because the first thing to do was to cut off the poison, while the " cure " commenced by giving alcohol. Inebriety was a complex disease and it needed moral, mental, and medical treatment. The conclusion arrived at by the meeting is contained in the following resolution *. —That this meeting having been informed by a competent London analyst, who has made a special analysis, that the alleged " bi-chloride of gold cure" shows no trace of gold or chlorides, and contains 27*55 per cent of alcohol, condemns unreservedly the prescription of such an intoxicating preparation to an inebriate." Our reason for taking up this subject is that we were informed by cablegram a few days ago that a reverend gentleman " from Chicago " had arrived in Melbourne to introduce this " remedy" to the Australian colonies. Such being the case it will be well for all interested in the subject to be on the alert to prevent the "remedy" extending to New Zealand. One thing is certain, the officers of the Customs Department will do their share by enforcing the tariff on spirits.