p. 509 | Health and Temperance

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 32.

Health and Temperance.

TONICS AND BITTERS.

SOME curious revelations on the subject of tonics and bitters, are made in a report which has been presented to the Board of Health of Massachusetts. These liquids, like many other things in the world, are not what they seem. Professedly non-intoxicating, they yet contain a very large infusion of alcohol. Of forty-seven different samples which were examined, forty-six were found to contain alcohol in quantities varying from 6 to 47.5 per cent. The average was 21.5 per cent., which represents a greater alcoholic strength than that of sherry. A "cocoa-beef tonic" had 23.2 per cent. of spirits, while sherry has only 18 to 20 per cent. "A purely vegetable extract," which is much recommended as "a stimulus to the body without intoxicating qualities," had 41.6 per cent. of alcohol, while whisky has only about 50 per cent. This particular decoction is especially pressed upon inebriates who are struggling to reform. A bitter said to be distilled from seaweed, and to be quite harmless and free from alcohol, has 19.5 per cent. Certain "sulphur bitters" are perfectly innocent of sulphur, and though sold as free from alcohol, actually contain 20.5 per cent. One maker's "sherry-wine bitters" has 47.5 per cent. of alcohol, or about 2 per cent. less than brandy.—Pall-Mall Budget.