A THIRST DEVIE IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1920, Page 3

A THIRST DEVIE IN AMERICA

“DRINK. PRETTY CREATURE, DRINK.” Cable messages published in these col. limns last month announced that, as a means of circumventing the Prohibition law in America, people had taken to drinking wood aicohol. a deadly poison, and that many 'deaths had occurred from that practice. A resourceful reader of the New A ork “Tribune” offers the following .suggestion ; “To tlie Editor of the "Tribune.” “Sir, —Read this notice carefully. It may save your life to-day. To avoid being poisoned by wood alcohol carry a guinea-pig in your pocket. Before touch ing a drink allow the animal to lap up a few drops of the precious fluid. Watch the rodenf> carefully for'about 15 minutes. If a pleased expression or smile comes over its face you may take the drink without fear. If the animal dies do not take the drink. Leave it alone. "Each gunea-pig should only he used in testing three drinks. After that it is almost impossible to tell if the animal is dead or dead drunk. “In testing cocktails the cherry should first be removed; otherwise the beast will eat the cherry and will not consume any of the beverage. There is for sale at a smart shop on the avenue a case so constructed as to have ample room for four rodents. It is made to fit the ' pocket of evening clothes, or can be carried by ladies, like a vanitv case.”