ADULTERATION OF SPIRITS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1140, 6 September 1882, Page 2

ADULTERATION OF SPIRITS.

At the hearing of a case against W. Rowe, a publican, of Melbourne, for using poisonous adulterants in liquors sold by hint, the following evidence (reported in the Argus) was given by Mr William Johnson, Government analytical chemist:—He had made an analysis of the bottle containing acid produced, and he found that its strength was at the rate of 1060 grains of oil of vitriol to the pint. It was such a liquor as was fraudulently used for the purpose of adulteration. Oil of almonds and oil of vitriol were used for adulterating spirits, for the purpose of making liquor appear to be very much stronger than it really was. There was a prevalent opinion among the public that a good “ bead” indicated a good quality and strength of spirit. Some publicans used vitriol and other similar poisons for the purpose of producing a “ bead” upon poor and weak spirit. It had a soapy effect when shaken, and produced a good “bead.” The sample of whisky produced had contained a quantity of the oil of vitriol, or something analogous, when he received it from the Excise Department on the 22nd ult. It contained 71 grains of oil of vitriol to the gallon, and it was 18 deg. under proof. Sulphuric acid was very deleterious in large quantities, or if taken in small doses for a long time, but in small quantities it was only a pleasant tonic. He did not think there was enough in the whisky to be injurious. Acids were injurious to some people and quite benefltial to others. The stuff in the bottle containing the oil of vitriol was a most atrocious poison.