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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 185, 7 August 1871, Page 2

Adulteration - op Drink. — We (Lancet) referred cursorily last week to the adulteration of driok by brewers or publicans, and we would once more call attention to the extent and magnitude of the evil. We fancy it is far more due to the effect of adulteration by narcotics in increasing drinking, than to increased cheapness of production, or any other ordinary cause. Tbe object with which it is done appears to be that the working man who sits down to refresh himself with a halfpint or pint, shall at once become sufficiently muddled to lose his self-control, and to call for more and more in excess of his originally prudent and proper intention. A business that poisons men for the sake of plundering them is simply a public nuisance; and even if other kinds of adulteration are for a time left unpunished, no leniency should be shown to this. It is difficult to say by whom the noxious ingredients are most frequently added. Iv any enactment on the subject, care should be taken that publicans are not made scapegoats for more wealthy sinners. Between them, the lot of the poor man, who depends upon a beershop for refreshment, is hard indeed. If he go there, the chances are that he is drugged into drunkenness when he wishes only to quench his thirst ; and if he drink water, he incurs risks of poisoning by sewage which are not to be lightly regarded.