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1905]
246

Spirituous and Alcoholic Drinks.—49 samples were purchased for
analysis, of which 17, or 34"7 per cent., were found to be adulterated.
Of these 14 were Scotch whiskies, 9 of which, or 64*3 per cent., were
adulterated, and 11 were Irish whiskies, 6 of which, or 54*5 per cent., were
adulterated. 8 samples of rum were examined, all of which were returned as
genuine. 11 samples of gin, of which 2, or 18*2 per cent., were adulterated, 5
were of port wine, all of which were genuine.
The examination of alcoholic drinks is of importance, especially in view
of the fact that although it is shown by the Revenue Returns that the quantity
of these which are consumed in the country is steadily falling, there is an
increase in the amount of insanity caused by alcoholism. The cause of this
increase is difficult to discover, but it points to the presumption that the
quality of the drinks has deteriorated. At all events it is well known by the
revelations of the press during the last few years that brandy, whisky, and rum
have been largely adulterated by a spirit made from maize in patent stills in
England, Ireland, and Scotland, which, it has been contended, is much more
harmful than the spirit distilled in the old-fashioned pot still. Despite the
denials of persons interested in the trade, it is a fact that the patent still spirit
manufactured in England, especially in London and Liverpool, is sold for the